The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has rejected what it described as an alleged attempt by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to install a Christian successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election in the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Executive Director of MURIC, Ishaq Akintola, accused the governor of pursuing what he called a religious agenda aimed at sidelining Muslims in the political affairs of Oyo State.
Akintola argued that after Makinde’s eight-year tenure as a Christian governor, power should naturally shift to a Muslim in the interest of fairness and balance.
“It is turn by turn,” the statement read, adding that Makinde had no justification for allegedly backing another Christian to succeed him.
The Islamic group claimed that Muslims in Oyo State had suffered political and economic marginalisation under the current administration, alleged that Christians had benefited more from governance and appointments.
MURIC further warned that allowing another Christian governor to emerge in Oyo would amount to a continuation of what it described as “Christian monopoly of governance” in the South-West, where all six governors are currently Christians.
The organisation urged Muslim leaders and stakeholders in the state to resist what it termed an imposition, insisting that Muslims constituted a significant population bloc and deserve a chance to govern the state.
Akintola also called on political parties in the South-West to consider Muslim candidates for governorship positions in future elections, saying the region’s political structure should reflect religious balance.
The statement was coming amid increasing political discussions and permutations ahead of the 2027 general elections in Oyo State and across the country.
