.....Demand Governorship Slot in Ogun

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‎A coalition of Muslim organisations under the umbrella of Southwest Muslims for Good Governance (SMUGG) has called for fair religious representation in political leadership across South-West Nigeria, with particular focus on Ogun State, urging political parties to consider a Muslim candidate in the 2027 governorship race.

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‎The call was made during a joint press conference of Muslim groups, including the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN), the Coalition of Muslim Vanguards and Stakeholders in Ogun State, the Coalition of Muslim Women Organisations, the Islamic Training Organisation of Nigeria (ITOON), and the Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria, among others.

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‎The conference, held at the Crescent Professional Complex in Abeokuta, brought together key stakeholders who stressed the need for inclusive governance and equitable representation in leadership positions. It was the third in a series of press conferences held across different parts of Ogun State within the past week to convey what the groups described as a unanimous demand by Muslims for a Muslim governor in the state.

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‎Addressing journalists, Alhaji Kehinde Lawal, Co-Convener of SMUGG, speaking on behalf of the coalition, said the advocacy was rooted in equity, justice and democratic balance, rather than religious dominance.

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‎He explained that Nigeria’s democratic structure thrives on inclusivity and fairness, warning that the prolonged exclusion of any group from leadership positions could deepen dissatisfaction and undermine national unity.

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‎According to him, Muslims constitute a significant proportion of the population in South-West Nigeria, particularly in Ogun State, yet their demographic strength has not been adequately reflected at the highest levels of political leadership, especially the governorship.

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‎“Today, we gather not in anger, not in division, but in conviction firmly rooted in the principles of equity and democratic balance,” Lawal stated, adding that diversity, when properly harnessed, strengthens democratic institutions rather than weakens them.

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‎He emphasised that the call for a Muslim governor in Ogun State in 2027 is a principled appeal for balance and fairness, noting that democracy must guarantee every group a legitimate pathway to leadership.

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‎The coalition further argued that inclusive governance fosters stability, promotes peace and strengthens development, while political exclusion breeds alienation and weakens national cohesion.

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‎Lawal noted that despite Ogun State’s reputation as a progressive and culturally diverse state, its political leadership has not adequately reflected its religious composition. He pointed out that the current leadership structure in the state — including Governor Dapo Abiodun; Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi; Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Oludaisi Elemide; Chief Judge, Hon Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu; and the Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya — is entirely made up of Christians.

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‎He added that competent Muslim professionals and leaders have contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of the state over the years, making their continued exclusion from the governorship a matter of concern.

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‎Providing historical context, the coalition stated that since the creation of Ogun State in 1976, only one Muslim has served as a civilian governor, accounting for approximately eight years, compared with about 26 years of Christian leadership.

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‎“This imbalance understandably fuels the present call for equity and fair representation,” he said.

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‎The coalition therefore urged political stakeholders, traditional leaders, civil society groups and citizens to support the push for inclusive governance and equitable political representation ahead of the 2027 elections.

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‎The groups also called on political parties in the South-West to embrace fairness in their candidate selection processes, stressing that balanced representation would strengthen democracy and promote unity across the region.

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‎In his contribution, Ameer Shereef Mayaleeke, representing the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, reiterated that the coalition of Muslim groups and professionals in Ogun State was unanimous in its demand for a Muslim governor, declaring that “enough is enough” regarding what he described as the marginalisation of Muslims in key public positions.

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‎Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the General Secretary of SMUGG, Ustadh Tajudeen Jimoh Alao, welcomed participants and reiterated that the advocacy was anchored on fairness and inclusivity.

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‎He noted that the call for a Muslim governor in 2027 is not about dominance, but about equity.

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‎“The call for a Muslim Governor in 2027 is therefore not about dominance, but about equity. It is a principled appeal for a system where leadership reflects the diversity of the people, while remaining firmly grounded in competence, integrity and vision,” he said.

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‎Alao further urged political parties to demonstrate fairness by presenting credible Muslim candidates, while calling on religious and community leaders to promote justice and mutual understanding.

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‎He also encouraged civil society groups and the electorate to stand firmly for inclusive governance devoid of bias or discrimination.

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