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CAN-vs-MURIC

CAN-vs-MURIC

CAN, MURIC lock horns over number of Christians, Muslims in Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet

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.