MURIC Flays Sanwo-Olu Over Permanent Secretaries’ List

Governor urged to explain religious imbalance in new list

By Abdullahi Yusuf

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has taken a swipe at Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, over the appointment of a new set of permanent secretaries, alleging that the exercise lacked religious balance.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the faith-based advocacy group described the governor’s move as “religious intolerance, administrative exclusivity and disregard for constitutional provisions.”

According to Akintola, Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, appointed nine new permanent secretaries, also called tutor generals, in a circular signed by the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro.

“The list has ignited widespread discontent among Muslims in the state and beyond for lacking religious balance. In particular, there are allegations that even the few Muslim names on the list belong to those who have left the Islamic faith,” MURIC stated.

The group argued that such appointments contravened Section 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates government at all levels to reflect the diversity of the people and promote inclusivity.

“Has Sanwo-Olu’s latest appointments complied with the above provision? Does the appointment of six Christian tutor generals into all the six education districts ‘recognise the diversity of the people’ of Lagos State? Are Muslims not major stakeholders in the affairs of Lagos State or are we just ordinary dots in Lagos social statistics?” the statement queried.

MURIC also recalled earlier concerns over the governor’s composition of commissioners, which it said gave Christians 43 slots against 14 Muslims.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu has always failed the inclusivity test. He failed it big time this time around. He has a duty to explain his latest ‘all-Christian’ permanent secretaries,” Akintola said.

The group warned that if the governor failed to address the concerns of Lagos Muslims, they may have no choice but to seek “an alternative political ally.”

“The actions of rulers are subject to interrogation by the citizens. That is what makes democracy tick. That is accountability. This does not look like good governance at all. If Sanwo-Olu plays the impunity card on this, Lagos Muslims must look elsewhere for political relevance,” MURIC added.

SPONSORED

SPONSORED