Hundreds of Muslim residents of Lagos staged a peaceful protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex earlier today. Led by several Muslim leaders under the aegis of the Lagos Muslim Community, they protested the unjust representation of Muslims in the 39-man list of nominees who will be appointed by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu as commissioners of Lagos.
Muslim organizations in attendance includes; the United Muslim Council (UMC), Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit (MSSNLagos), Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), Nasrul-Lahi-il Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Muslim Teachers Association of Nigeria (MUTAN), Muslims Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN), Anwar-ul-Islam Movement of Nigeria, Nawair-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria and several other Islamic organizations.
Recall that the Lagos Muslims under the umbrella of the Joint Muslim Forum had earlier held a World Press Conference to register their grievances concerning the lists of the commissioner-designates in the state on the 8th of August, 2023. However, this did not yield the desired results as Sanwo-Olu keep mum on the matter. As of the time of this report, DpathtoJannah garnered that 30 out of the 39 nominees had been screened by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
A classic case of discrimination and religious bigotry- Professor Gbadamosi
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, the Chairman of the Lagos Muslim Community, Professor Tajudeen Gbadamosi noted that the commissioners’ list is a classic case of discrimination and religious bigotry. He said, “We are here today to express our grievances and dissatisfaction against the blatant disregard for justice, equity and fairness in the proposed Lagos State Executive cabinet… the list is a classic case of discrimination and religious bigotry as it has 31 nominees who are of the Christians faith and only eight (8) nominees who are Muslims.”
Professor Gbadamosi added that since Sanwo-Olu assumed leadership of Lagos, there has been a level of official state policy to deny Muslims their deserved positions. He said “For instance, in 2019, when Mr. Sanwo-Olu became governor, he appointed 14 Special Advisers, and only one (1) among them was a Muslim. Again, in his State Executive Council, which had 43 members, only 14 were Muslims and the remaining 29 were Christians. Also, of the 23 commissioners (during Sanwo-Olu’s first term) 10 were Muslims, and the remaining 13 were Christians.”
The Chairman of the Lagos Muslim Community continued that “Only 15 Muslims, with 35 Christians made up the body of the 50 Permanent Secretaries in Sanwo-Olu’s first term” He further reiterated that these actions from Governor Sanwo-Olu violate the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly Section 14(4) and is further strengthened by section 192(2).
Muslim Leaders rejects the List: Reminds the Governor of their support for his re-election
Several Muslim Leaders at the peaceful protest registered their grievances. The Deputy President of Muslims Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji AbdulRafiu Ebiti said “There is no minbar in Lagos during the 2023 Governorship election that did not announce that their followers to vote for Sanwo-Olu and yet the Governor did this to us”
Alhaji Mubasir Ojelade, President of the Anwar-ul-Islam Movement of Nigeria added that “what brought us here has been well articulated by Prof. Gbadamosi. My advice regarding the situation before you (the Lawmakers) in the House and indeed before the Governor, admits of two possibilities, it is either, you sit and ask yourselves, is this list a representation of Lagos? and if you conclude that it does not represent Lagos and not befitting to the State, it is either you withdraw the list and do justice, or decide to proceed with the current lists of commissioners.” He concluded that “Even if we (Muslims in Lagos) do not make further efforts (to press home our demands), what we did during the 2023 elections, when for the first time (Islamic) religious bodies came out openly to declare support for the re-election of Mr Sanwo-Olu (is enough), Almighty Allah will come to our aid and crown our efforts”
The President of Nawair-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Rasheed Olayinka mentioned that “We reject it and we want fair representation in the State as demanded by the entire community of Muslims in Lagos”
The President of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Abdul Lateef Sanni on his part told the Lawmakers to “ensure that justice is done so that progress in Lagos State continues”
Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, the convener of the Joint Muslim Forum (JMF) who doubles as the National Missioner of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, said “Why we voted for you is for a fair representation. If you do not represent us well, we will not fight you” he then pointed to the sky referring that Muslims will rely on God’s help. He further reminded the lawmakers that if they refuse to do justice now and think they have successfully swayed the Muslims to vote en masse for them at the last polls, they will soon come again (in another four years).
We shall work on the petition and you will hear good news- Hon. AbdulMajid
Rt. Hon. AbdulMajid AbdulFatah Adebola, who is the Chief Whip/Chairman Commissioners-Nominee Screening Committee along with two other Lawmakers (Hon. Jubreel AbdulKareem and Hon. Lukman Oluomo), represented the House of Assembly and received the petition of the Muslims on behalf of the Speaker.
Rt. Hon. AbdulMajid AbdulFatah said, “We are reassuring you that we are going to submit your petition to the Speaker and by God’s grace, we shall work on it and you will hear a response that will be comfortable with.” He added that “We realized that you partnered with us and if not for that partnership, maybe what we are enjoying today (our successful re-election) would not have been possible.”
The Chief Whip then explained why the House have to commence the screening as soon as it was received from Governor Sanwo-Olu. He said “We have started the screening of the commissioners because it is stipulated by the Constitution, Section 192 and Chapters 6 and 14 which was also mentioned by our father (referring to the speech of Professor Gbadamosi). Thus, we have to screen the lists of commissioners within 21 working days”
“By God’s grace, we shall not deny the Muslim Community (in Lagos) their rights, we shall do justice” he concluded.
A closing remark was given by the Grand Mufti of the Conference of Islamic Organizations, Shaykh Dhikrullah Shafi’i. He said “The Muslim Community has not come out in their numbers like this before. We thank Almighty Allah that gave us the blessings of this moment. We are happy that we can come out in our numbers with our fathers leading us” He then prayed for the progress of the State and Nigeria at Large.
