Southwest Gubernatorial Race: MURIC Demands Muslims Be Given Fair Shot at Power
Decades of sidelining Muslims in Southwest politics under the spotlight as MURIC calls for justice before 2027 polls
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged political stakeholders across Southwest Nigeria to ensure justice and equity in the selection of gubernatorial candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Addressing what it described as a critical moment in the region’s political cycle, the Ogun State chapter of the group warned that “the call for justice, equity, and fairness must not be drowned by sentiments, bias, or emotional manipulation” as parties make far-reaching decisions on their candidates.
In a statement signed by Chairman Ustadh Tajudeen Jimoh and Secretary Amb. Olaleye Rasheed Damilare, MURIC said fairness must guide leadership distribution across the states of Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Lagos, and Ogun. The group highlighted that Christian candidates have historically dominated these governorships, sidelining qualified Muslim contenders.
“Fairness demands balance,” the statement read. “In Ogun State, where leadership is currently under a Christian governor, justice and equity require that a Muslim should be given the opportunity to be the next governor. This is not a demand born out of bias, but a call for inclusiveness and equal representation.”
MURIC also cited Lagos State, noting that since the tenure of Babatunde Raji Fashola, leadership has remained in Christian hands for over a decade. In Oyo State, the group argued, the 2027 elections present an opportunity to correct historical inequities by giving Muslims a fair chance at governance.
The group stressed that its advocacy is rooted in principle, not political sponsorship. “It is both unfortunate and misleading that calls for fairness are often twisted into narratives of division or political sponsorship,” the statement said. “We are not enemies of the government. We are not enemies of our Christian brothers and sisters. What we stand for is simple and universal: justice, fairness, and peaceful coexistence.”
MURIC emphasised that the demand is not religiously motivated but a call for inclusive governance and societal balance. “This is not about religion; it is about humanity. It is about building a society where no group feels marginalised, overlooked, or silenced,” it said.
The group warned that nations ignoring the rights of all citizens cannot achieve meaningful progress. “Where there is no justice, there can be no peace. And where there is no peace, development becomes nothing but an illusion,” it added.
Concluding its statement, MURIC appealed to political parties, community leaders, and citizens alike to rise above partisan sentiment and manipulation. “Only then can we build a society where every citizen, regardless of belief, feels seen, valued, and represented,” the group said.
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