15th August, 2023
PRESS
RELEASE:
COMMISSIONERS LIST: MURIC ACCUSES CAN
OF HYPOCRISY
Following a press
conference addressed by the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria
(CAN), Lagos State chapter, Rev. Stephen Adegbite, in which he supported the
lopsided list of commissioners submitted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused Lagos CAN of hypocrisy. MURIC asked
if Lagos CAN could have acted the same way if it was Muslims who had 31
commissioners while Christians had 8 only.
MURIC's position was
disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday, 15th August, 2023 by its Executive
Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The statement reads
:
"The chairman of
the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State chapter, Rev, Stephen
Adegbite, addressed a press conference yesterday, Monday, 14th August, 2023. In
his speech, the CAN state chairman rationalised the lopsided list of
commissioners submitted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu where Muslims were given
a meager 8 slots only while Christians have a whopping 31 slots (https://punchng.com/lagos-can-defends-sanwo-olus-commissioner-nominees/).
"Our response to his vituperations and irrational
position is very simple. Governor Sanwo-Olu supported the Muslim-Muslim ticket
not because he was convinced that it was democratic and therefore right, not
even because he was fully in support of a Muslim ruling the country, but
because he had no choice than to support his principal and political godfather.
"Failure to do so would have endangered his chances
of securing a second term. Sanwo-Olu's perceived support for the Muslim-Muslim
ticket was therefore a self-preservation move. It was not from the governor’s
heart but from his pharyngeal cavity.
"It was therefore
most inconsiderate and very selfish for Lagos CAN chairman to base his
rationalisation of the ratio 31:8 of Lagos commissioners' list on Sanwo-Olu's
support for the Muslim-Muslim ticket. They are two incompatible situations for
the following reasons.
"Firstly, one occurred at the federal level, the
other at state level. Secondly, one was through a democratic and electoral
process, the other was by appointment. Thirdly, one was Jean Jacques Rousseau's
General Will executed by the Nigerian electorate, the other was the
totalitarian whim and caprice of a pentecostal governor. Fourthly, one was
constitutional, the other a flagrant violation of Section 14:4 of the 1999 Constitution
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
"But the
hypocrisy of the Lagos CAN chairman will become more glaring if he can agree
that he will accept the same arrangement if vice versa, i.e. if Muslims
are given 31 slots while Christians get 8 only come 2027 when it will be the
turn of Muslims to occupy Alausa secretariat.
“Will CAN accept that from a Muslim governor in 2027? No,
CAN cannot. The press conference held yesterday by CAN Lagos chairman must
therefore be reduced to sheer hocus pocus and the height of hypocrisy. Could
Lagos CAN have acted the same way if it was Muslims who had 31 commissioners
while Christians had 8 only?
"Christians are
offering Muslims what they can never accept. The next gubernatorial slot is for
Muslims in the spirit of 'awa lokan' and all eyes are on Lagos come
2027. The fact that Lagos CAN chairman admitted the lopsided 31:8 ratio shows
that it was deliberate and the cooking took place in CAN's kitchen before the
governor used his teeth to share the meat. It is the voice of Jacob, the hand
of Esau. This lopsided list came from Lagos CAN.
“But it is public
knowledge that Lagos Muslims campaigned for Sanwo-Olu and voted massively for
him. Although MURIC wanted a Muslim governor ab initio, we later advised
Muslims to vote for Sanwo-Olu after seeing that he supported President Bola
Ahmed Tinubu. We knew that it was necessary for Lagos to be in the hands of the
ruling party for Tinubu’s administration to be successful. Our sacrifice was
therefore for Tinubu, a Muslim presidential candidate at the time, not for
Sanwo-Olu per se.
“It must be mentioned that Sanwo-Olu came to Lagos
Muslims twice to canvass for votes. Well, after publicly dragging Lagos Muslims
on the floor, after using Lagos Muslims and dumping them, we are waiting to see
if and when Sanwo-Olu will need Lagos Muslims again during his tenure. The die
is cast, unless Sanwo-Olu reviews his Christian-dominated list."
#RejectLagosChristianList
#SanwoOluUserDumper
Professor Ishaq
Akintola,
Executive Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
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