Muslims demand better deal from Ekiti government

Muslim groups have enjoined the Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi to consider equity and fairness in his appointments and administration of the state.

The groups, including the National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations, (NACOMYO), Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) and The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) said the appointment of the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff and the Chief Press Secretary was against balance and fairness against the Muslim community, which Fayemi promised.

The Coordinator of the state chapter of NACOMYO, Tajudeen Ahmed, made the displeasure of the group known at a media briefing, after a protest staged at the Ado Ekiti Central mosque.He described the appointments made so far by the governor as not only lopsided, but also an alleged grand plan to totally marginalise the Muslim community in the state.”

“The exclusion of Muslims from the principal officers of this administration is worrisome, unjust, condemnable and unacceptable.”“The Ekiti Muslim community saw the appointments as a calculated attempt to exclude Muslims from the fundamental aspect of decision making process in Ekiti State.”

He called on Fayemi to breathe life into Section 14(4) of the constitution which provided that ‘the composition of the government of a state, a local government council, or any of the agencies of such government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people.

The Amir of MSSN Zone B, Qaasim Odedeji, said the attitude of the governor endeared him to Muslims in Ekiti State and beyond who saw in him a sense of fairness and a true demonstration of what a “Right Activist” and leader of civil society organization that he was before turning a politician should be. He said: “Fayemi got an overwhelming support of Ekiti Muslims who constitute about 40 percent of the entire population of Ekiti state in his bid to return to office in 2014 and 2018 governorship elections.

“It is also important to state that the position of the Muslims as stated above was paid for when the former Governor, Ayodele Fayose won the 2014 election and did not hide his hatred for the Muslims in words and actions. Therefore, it was not surprising that Fayemi got the Muslims’ support in 2018 election despite various antics employed by Mr Fayose to secure the Muslim’s votes by hook and trickery.

“It is an attempt to paint Muslims as non-existent in the politics of Ekiti State. Is Fayemi claiming that there are no Muslims who are qualified to hold those positions within the fold of his party in Ekiti State? How come no such discrimination is seen in any other South West states where Muslims are a clear majority?

“We wonder if Fayemi is now initiated into the club of the people of his faith who find religious solace in marginalization of Islam and the Muslims? Or perhaps he has an accord to subjugate and marginalize Muslims? With who he might have had such accord is also a thing of wonder. Could it be the Christian Association of Nigeria? Or is it just that Dr Fayemi has developed so much disregard for Muslims?

The Muslim groups called on the Governor to urgently review appointments and accommodate Muslims.Direcotr, MURIC, Ishaq Akintola said: ““Et tu Fayemi! How can the Muslims start getting the same treatment they received under Fayose when they gave you massive support during the election? We know you as a moderate and tolerant Christian. Have you changed? What went wrong? We hope our fears will be addressed in the next few days and weeks as your government takes proper shape. It is only fair that Muslims are given proper representation in the appointment of commissioners, board chairmen, among others.

“It is on record that Muslims received good attention during Fayemi’s first tenure as governor of the state and we expect nothing less. Fayemi was the first governor in the whole South West to allow female Muslim students in public schools to use hijab even without any protests or legal action. That action alone gave us the impression that Fayemi is one of the few Christians in Nigeria who is ready and willing to promote religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

“MURIC calls on Fayemi to continue to promote religious tolerance. We urge him to close ranks with Muslims in the state and to show the world that he is not a religious bigot like his immediate predecessor. We remind the ruling party in Ekiti state that Muslims deserve,” he stated.