Stop the Emotional Blackmail: South West Muslims Deserve Fair Governorship Representation

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC), OGUN STATE CHAPTER

هيئة حقوق المسلمين

MOTTO: DIALOGUE, NOT VIOLENCE

Friday, April 3^rd 2026  

 Stop the Emotional Blackmail: South West Muslims Deserve Fair Governorship Representation 

At a critical moment when political parties are making far-reaching decisions on candidates for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections across Southwest Nigeria, the call for justice, equity, and fairness must not be drowned by sentiments, bias, or emotional manipulation.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Ogun State Chapter has once again reaffirmed its position, fairness must prevail in the distribution of political leadership, particularly in Osun,Ekiti, Ondo ,Oyo, Lagos, and Ogun States.

This position was contained in a statement issued by the State Chairman, Ustaadh Tajudeen Jimoh Alao AAN AMC, and made public by the State Secretary, Ambassador Olaleye Rasheed Damilare.

It reads:

Today, we find it necessary to extend our voice to states like Ondo,Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Lagos, and Ogun, where Christian candidates have consistently emerged and continued to dominate the political space, calling for a more inclusive and balanced representation that reflects the diversity of the people in these regions.

However, fairness demands balance. In Ogun State, where leadership is currently under a Christian governor, justice and equity require that a Muslim should be given the opportunity to be the next governor. 

This is not a demand born out of bias, but a call for inclusiveness and equal representation.

In Lagos State, history is clear. Following the tenure of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, the state has experienced over a decade of Christian leadership at the helm. True fairness dictates that Muslims should now be given the chance to lead for the next phase of governance. 

Similarly, Oyo State has witnessed a pattern that calls for reflection. As 2027 approaches, it is only just and equitable that Muslims are given a fair opportunity to occupy the governorship seat.

It is both unfortunate and misleading that calls for fairness are often twisted into narratives of division or political sponsorship.* 

Let it be clearly stated: MURIC is not sponsored by any politician or political machinery.

We are not enemies of the government. We are not enemies of our Christian brothers and sisters.

What we stand for is simple and universal: justice, fairness, and peaceful coexistence.

Those who attempt to reduce this call to mere religious agitation miss the point entirely.

This is not about religion, it is about humanity. It is about building a society where no group feels marginalized, overlooked, or silenced.* 

A nation that fails to recognize the rights of all its people cannot truly progress.

And where there is no justice, there can be no peace.

Where there is no peace, development becomes nothing but an illusion.

We urge political stakeholders, party leaders, and the good people of Southwest Nigeria to rise above sentiments, manipulation, and emotional blackmail.

Let fairness guide decisions. Let justice shape the future. Let equity define our democracy.

Only then can we build a society where every citizen, regardless of belief, feels seen, valued, and represented.

Signed 

Ustadh Tajudeen Jimoh Alao, AAN, AMC,   Ambassador Olaleye Rasheed Damilare

 Chairman,                                                      Secretary,

MURIC Ogun State Chapter                           MURIC, Ogun State Chapter