“It is the turn of Muslims to produce Governor in 2027,”says the Islamic Coordination Council of Oyo state.
This position shot down the feeble argument of Engr.Seyi Makinde at the farewell programme for 2026 Hajj pilgrims in the state last week.
In a release jointly signed by the ICC Chairman, Alhaji Sulaiman Abass Abanise and the Secretary, Imam Mas’ud Akintayo Akintola, the Islamic body declared that the rejection of Chief Bayo Adelabu and the open declaration on Radio by the then Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Benjamin Akanmu that “it is the turn of Christians to rule Oyo state after 8-years of Governor Abiola Ajimobi “led credence to the unwritten convention of religious balancing in governorship position among adherents of the two major faiths in the state.
We are aware that the Engr. Makinde is sufficiently educated to know the differences between the executive and legislative positions before reeling out the names of past Muslim Senators in the state. He was only being mischievous and insulting the intelligence of the citizenry by so doing. “He attempted arm twisting us but we are wiser this time around”, ICC declares.
Out of 18 occupants of Agodi Government House from 1976, only 6 were Muslims, the rest were Christians. It will therefore be fair to have a Muslim succeeds the present helmsman in 2027 after a 8-year rule.
If only competence devoid of religion had mattered, why did Engr. Seyi Makinde replaced the impeached Deputy Governor with another Muslim in 2021? The Governor should be reminded that CAN played a pivotal role in speaking with the leadership of the Muslim Community via the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Alhaji Dawood Makanjuola Akinola in his second term bid.
Any attempt to sacrifice religion under whatever guise will result in electoral walk-over for the opposition in the state in 2027.
