The religious colouration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet has polarised two religious pressure groups in Lagos – the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and its counterpart, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
MURIC had accused Sanwo-Olu of populating his cabinet with mainly Christians, having only a handful of Muslims in it.
CAN, on the other hand, defended Sanwo-Olu, claiming competence should trump religious considerations.
MURIC has now accused CAN of playing double standards.
MURIC director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, had in a press statement wondered if Lagos CAN could have acted the same way if it was Muslims who had 31 commissioners while Christians had eight.
He said the only reason Sanwo-Olu supported the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 presidential election was a self-preservatory move because his principal was involved.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu supported the Muslim-Muslim ticket not because he was convinced that it was democratic and therefore right, not even because he was fully in support of a Muslim ruling the country, but because he had no choice but to support his principal and political godfather.
“Failure to do so would have endangered his chances of securing a second term. Sanwo-Olu’s perceived support for the Muslim-Muslim ticket was therefore a self-preservation move. It was not from the governor’s heart but from his pharyngeal cavity,” the MURIC director said.
More Stories
Setting the record straight: Experts urge journalists to verify facts in Ondo election
Diabetic patients at risk as cost of medication rises over 400%
CIA blocks demand for information on Tinubu’s drug case, says revelation could damage US national security interest