*Photo: Muslims at an Eid ground*
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has bemoaned the imbalance in political and administrative appointments in Ogun State which it said are skewed against Muslims.
MURIC spoke on Saturday
in a Hijra New Year message by its Ogun State Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Jimoh Alao and made available to the public by the State Secretary, Alhaji Olaleye Rasheed Damilare.
The group calls for equity, saying ” Let it be clear: this statement is not born out of bitterness, bigotry, or incitement. MURIC stands firm on its motto: Dialogue, Not Violence. This is a call for fairness, inclusiveness, and equitable representation in the governance of Ogun State.”
MURIC said “…while we celebrate the arrival of this new year, we must also soberly confront—with truth and civility—the glaring imbalance in political and administrative appointments in Ogun State, a state with a significant Muslim population.”
It pointed out that “…that since 1980, Ogun State has produced five executive governors—only one has been a Muslim. As it stands today, all three arms of government in the state—Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary—are led by Christians:
” The Governor is a Christian.
” The Speaker of the House of Assembly is a Christian.
” The Chief Judge is a Christian.
“The Chief of Staff, the Head of Service, and the Secretary to the State Government are all Christians.
” Furthermore, out of the twenty local government chairpersons in Ogun State, only two are Muslims. The vast majority of commissioners and top appointees in the state cabinet are Christians.”
Read the full statement below:
Saturday, July 12th, 2025.
1447 AH MUHARRAM MESSAGE TO THE MUSLIM UMMAH.
RECLAIMING OUR DIGNITY AND DEMANDING EQUITY IN OGUN STATE.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Ogun State Chapter, extends warm greetings to the Muslim Ummah as we embrace the blessed Islamic New Year, 1447 AH. Muharram is not merely the first month of the Islamic calendar—it is a sacred period for reflection, redirection, and recommitment to the values exemplified by our noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The MUHARRAM message was made by the State Chairman of MURIC in Ogun State Alhaji Tajudeen Jimoh Alao and made available to the public by the State Secretary Alhaji Olaleye Rasheed Damilare.
The message reads ;
We urge all Muslims to seize this spiritually significant moment by emulating the Prophet (SAW) in his unwavering honesty, deep sincerity, steadfast commitment to justice, and unparalleled ability to unite people. At a time when division, insincerity, and injustice continue to plague our society, the Ummah must rise as a beacon of moral excellence, truth, and collective responsibility.
Yet, while we celebrate the arrival of this new year, we must also soberly confront—with truth and civility—the glaring imbalance in political and administrative appointments in Ogun State, a state with a significant Muslim population.
Alhaji Tajudeen made it known that since 1980, Ogun State has produced five executive governors—only one has been a Muslim. As it stands today, all three arms of government in the state—Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary—are led by Christians:
The Governor is a Christian.
The Speaker of the House of Assembly is a Christian.
The Chief Judge is a Christian.
The Chief of Staff, the Head of Service, and the Secretary to the State Government are all Christians.
Furthermore, out of the twenty local government chairpersons in Ogun State, only two are Muslims. The vast majority of commissioners and top appointees in the state cabinet are Christians.
He emphasises that most dishearteningly, while some South-Western states had the courage and decency to declare public holidays in recognition of Muharram and its profound significance to Muslims, the Ogun State government declined to do so, leaving many Muslims disappointed, unheard, and unacknowledged.
Let it be clear: this statement is not born out of bitterness, bigotry, or incitement. MURIC stands firm on its motto: Dialogue, Not Violence. This is a call for fairness, inclusiveness, and equitable representation in the governance of Ogun State.
Muslims are not second-class citizens. We are law-abiding, tax-paying, peace-loving stakeholders in the growth and progress of Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole. What we seek is equity, not dominance; representation, not exclusion; respect, not mere tolerance.
Let it be understood: political exclusion breeds disunity. And disunity stifles development.
We therefore appeal to the conscience of those in power to pursue justice, equity, and balance in their appointments and governance decisions.
MURIC also urges the Muslim community to be more politically active and strategic ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Enough of political apathy. Our demographic strength must translate into political power. It is time to work toward producing a competent, visionary, and God-fearing Muslim governor in Ogun State,” Alhaji Alao declared.
Enough of standing on the sidelines. Our demographic strength must translate into political power.
Let us not forget the divine reminder:
“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves” (Qur’an 13:11).
The world respects organised, disciplined, and politically conscious people. Let this new Islamic year usher in a new era of political awakening for the Muslim Ummah in Ogun State.
As we mark this sacred month of Muharram, may Allah strengthen our resolve, unite our hearts, and bless the Muslim Ummah with wisdom, victory, and divine guidance.
God bless Ogun State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed,
Alhaji Jimoh Tajudeen Alao (AAN)
Chairman, MURIC Ogun State Chapter.
Alhaji Olaleye Rasheed Damilare
Secretary, MURIC Ogun state chapter.