Appointments: Give Us Sense Of Belonging – MURIC To President Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to address the allegation of lopsidedness in political appointments raised by Muslims in any future cabinet reshuffling.

The appeal was contained in a statement issued on Saturday, by the Executive Director of the organization, Prof Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads:

“It is not unusual for cabinets to be reshuffled midway into an administration’s tenure or after an historical or significant event. In this context, it will be in character if the Tinubu administration decides to reshuffle its cabinet after Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary.

“It is an open secret that Nigerian Muslims have complained severally about the lopsidedness of political appointments in the present dispensation vis a vis political posts given to Nigerian Christians.*

“The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) cried out over the marginalization of Muslims in political appointments.The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) lodged the same complaint.

“The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) also took the cue, while the Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria equally joined the outcry.

“Even the president reportedly confirmed that 62% of political appointments went to Nigerian Christians, while Christian leaders testified that the Tinubu administration favoured the body of Christ.

“It is therefore too glaring and undeniable that Nigerian Muslims, particularly those in the South West, have been at the receiving end of political marginalization under the Tinubu administration.

“On the contrary, the same administration has been extra-ordinarily generous with minority Christian groups in the North Central in matters of political appointments.

“It should be noted that MURIC speaks not out of animosity, reckless activism or irresponsible leadership, but out of the desire to add luster to good governance.

“Although Nigerian Muslims have little influence in mainstream media space, they constitute a huge portion of the country’s demographic strength.

“Good governance demands that such a massive but voiceless group deserves attention while their grudges require Aso Rock’s action. The Ummah is our constituency and we have a duty to bring feelers from there to the attention of those in positions of authority.

“As we draw the curtain on this conversation, MURIC appeals to President Bola Tinubu to raise the banners of justice, fairness and equity in political appointments if and when he contemplates reshuffling his cabinet. Inclusivity is key in selections.

“Muslims have skilled men and women in all sectors for those who care to look in their direction. Only thus can Muslims have a true sense of belonging.”