The Yoruba Muslim community has voiced concerns over what they perceive as systemic marginalization in Nigeria’s political landscape, despite their significant contributions to the electoral victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, have expressed dissatisfaction over the alleged disproportionate representation of Southern Muslims in public service appointments.
During a press briefing in Ibadan, the leaders of these groups emphasized their disappointment in what they termed a deliberate sidelining of Yoruba Muslims, despite their active participation in ensuring the success of the current administration.
Unfair Representation in Political Appointments
The President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRasheed Hadiyatullahi, and the Chairman of the Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria, Sheikh Abdurrasheed Mayaleeke, jointly criticized the distribution of political positions in the South-West region. They claimed that despite the significant Muslim population, the appointments have heavily favored Southern Christians.
The groups pointed out that during the 2023 presidential elections, the Muslim community in the South-West faced strong opposition from certain Christian groups over the Muslim-Muslim ticket of Tinubu and his running mate. Despite this resistance, Yoruba Muslims mobilized in large numbers, believing that Tinubu’s leadership would address their long-standing marginalization.
READ MORE: Egbe Agba Itesiwaju Yoruba Backs Shariah Panels, Advocates for Harmony in Yoruba Land
However, they argued that the reality of recent appointments has contradicted their expectations, highlighting a lopsided distribution of key ministerial and security positions. According to their analysis, more than 80 percent of federal appointments from the South-West have been awarded to Christians, while Muslims have received only a fraction of key roles.
Detailed Breakdown of Appointments
The groups provided an overview of recent appointments, emphasizing an imbalance in religious representation. Among ministerial positions, Christians occupy seven roles, while Muslims hold four. Key positions, such as the Minister of Finance, Minister of Interior, and Minister of Youth, have been assigned to Christian politicians. Similarly, critical economic and security positions, such as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Inspector General of Police, are also dominated by Christians.
Concerns Over Historical Marginalization
The groups lamented what they see as a historical pattern of discrimination against Yoruba Muslims in the political sphere. They cited past instances where Southern Muslims were overlooked for leadership roles, pointing to the annulment of Chief MKO Abiola’s election in 1993 as an example of systemic exclusion.
Furthermore, they criticized the absence of any Muslim appointees from the South-East and South-South regions in the current government. They questioned why, despite a Muslim-led administration, a significant number of key appointments have gone to Christians, including in the northern region where the Chief of Defence Staff and Secretary to the Government of the Federation are both Christians.
Shariah Panels and Religious Freedom
The groups also addressed recent debates over the inauguration of Shariah panels in certain Yoruba towns. They emphasized that Shariah law has been a part of the region’s legal and cultural history for over a century and should not be a subject of controversy.
Citing historical precedents, they traced the demand for Shariah courts in the South-West to as early as 1894, when Muslims in Lagos petitioned colonial authorities for its implementation. They noted that Shariah courts were operational in cities like Iwo and Ede before independence but were later dismantled.
With over 16,000 central mosques and 300,000 ward mosques across Yorubaland, they insisted that the recognition of Shariah law within the legal framework of Nigeria is not a new development but a constitutional right that should not be undermined.
Call for Fairness and Inclusion
The Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria and the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria called on President Tinubu to address these concerns and ensure a more balanced representation of Muslims in government appointments. They urged the administration to uphold the principles of justice and fairness, warning that continued marginalization could lead to disenchantment among the Muslim population.
They concluded by reaffirming their commitment to advocating for the rights of Yoruba Muslims and ensuring that their voices are heard in national affairs.