News

Lagos Muslim community rejects Sanwo-Olu’s commissioners-designate list

Published

1 year ago

August 9, 2023

Lagos Muslim community rejects Sanwo-Olu’s commissioners-designate list

The Lagos Muslims community has rejected the list of proposed cabinet members submitted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the state House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

Addressing a World Press Conference on the Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commissioners-designate list on Tuesday in Lagos, the Convener of Joint Muslim Forum and National Missioner, Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, Imam Abdul Rahman Ahmad said the group has petitioned the state House of Assembly over the matter.

The press conference was attended by top Muslim leaders in Lagos, including Sheikh AbdulRahman Adangba; Amir (President) Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSSN, Kamoldeen Abiona; Director of Muslims Rights Concern, MURIC, Professor Lakin Akintola; and Sheikh Dhirullah Shafii.

The JMF, an umbrella of over 30 Muslim groups, the community, declaring that the 8 number of Muslims to 31 number of Christians on the list of 39 men and women shows oppression, pathological hatred, callousness. Insensitivity, and unfairness.

Speaking on the commissioner-designate list, Imam Ahmad noted that forum had exhausted all efforts to reach out to the governor and his deputy over what it called the great injustice.

He stated, “In line with the dictates of our Islamic faith which consistently emphasizes fairness in all dealings, and also in line with our conviction that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy Dr Kadiri Hamzat both are better experienced and prepared to uplift the quality of lives of Lagosians, we mobilised our community to, not only vote for the return of the Governor, but also defended the votes under very difficult circumstances.

READ ALSO:

“It must be stated that the Muslim community did not collect a dime from neither the APC flag bearers, nor any of their opponents in that election, rather we acted truthfully and selflessly with hope for a more prosperous Lagos.

“With all sense of utmost sincerity, we noted to our utter dismay that Governor Sanwo-Olu’s list exhibited callous insensitivity to diversity, equity, and fairness. Muslims make up less than 20% of the list, even though they constitute over 60% of not just the state’s population but her voting public. We observed that out of 39 Nominees only 8 are Muslims.

“It is no longer news that this list is not pleasing to the generality of Muslims of Lagos. It is indeed an afront to our collective sensibilities and tragically confirmed long standing suspected misgivings about iGov. Sanwo-Olu’s genuine commitment to fair leadership.

“Before anyone says “the Muslims have started again” please take some time to examine the facts: Go through the history of appointments by Lagos State Government; look at the demography that make up Lagos States; look at it from the lens of what is right and fair; the intention then becomes clear.

“When many in the Christian community rightly or wrongly rejected Governor Sanwo-Olu and his party purportedly to protest the Muslim-Muslim ticket at the national level, we the Muslims of Lagos state stood solidly and voted enmasse to ensure his victory, but rather than show appreciation, it appears that Mr. Sanwo-Olu choose to perpetrate injustice and ingratitude in an ill-thought affront to the peaceful and accommodating Muslim community of Lagos.

“Over the past years, we have witnessed several instances of injustice towards Muslims by the Governor Sanwo-Olu-led state government through its unfavorable policies, lopsided appointments, and infringements on our religious and socio-political rights as a community.

“At various times and fora, we have engaged the government listing these grievances and concerns all to no avail, with no well-defined efforts by the state government till date to assuage these grievances etc.

“The released list of commissioners is thus a continuation of the old, abnormality and a reaffirmation that the state government has no regard whatsoever for the Muslims in the state nor our interest.

“The Muslims have done nothing to deserve this; in fact, they have played their part by ensuring that the government of the day won the election. The Muslims massively voted for APC when others campaigned for other parties. It is also important to mention that this is not a one-off for this administration.

“In the last term of this government six (6) Tutors-General were appointed and all were Christians, with instances where senior Muslim successors were sidelined for the nearest Christians. Governance should be about fairness and equity.

READ ALSO:

“Why must Muslims in Lagos State always beg and fight for their constitutional rights in the present dispensation? We recall with utmost sadness really, that until the Supreme Court ruled in favour of hijab for our schoolgirls, successive Lagos Governments, never felt it should endeavor to align with the global best practice of accepting hijab in addition to abiding with the rule of law,” he stated.

Also speaking on the development, the Amir (President), MSSN Lagos, Kamoldeen Abiona, expressed disappointment and grave concern over the list of proposed cabinet members.

Abiona rejected what he described as a glaring absence of adequate youth representation in the proposed appointments by Governor Sanwo-Olu.

He noted that the youth constitute a formidable portion of the state’s population, saying it is deeply disheartening that none of the nominated candidates falls below the age of 35.

According to Abiona, the list is a flagrant oversight that blatantly contradicts Governor Sanwo-Olu’s assurances of prioritising the involvement of youths and women in crucial decision-making roles.

Abiona said MSSN Lagos strongly maintained that the vitality and dynamism of the youth demographic are essential for propelling the progress and advancement of Lagos State.

He stated, “We raise an urgent alarm regarding the blatant religious underrepresentation within key government positions in Lagos State. While we endorses appointments based on merit, the organisation contends that reflecting the religious diversity of the state within these positions is imperative.

“It’s important to note with concern that out of the thirty-nine (39) commissioner nominees, a mere nine (9) are Muslims, a deficiency that falls grossly short of authentically representing Lagos State’s religious diversity.

“MSSN Lagos resolutely calls upon the Lagos State Government to immediately address this critical matter and to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to inclusivity and religious harmony in every facet of governance in the state,” he said.

Lagos Muslim community rejects Sanwo-Olu’s commissioners-designate list

Up Next

Resident doctors cancel nationwide protests but remain on strike

Don't Miss

Don’t push us to invade Niger, US warns junta

News

Atiku proposes six-year single tenure rotational presidency

Published

12 hours ago

October 3, 2024

Trends Admin

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar

Atiku proposes six-year single tenure rotational presidency

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has recommended a single-term of six years for future Nigeria’s President, which should be rotational among the six geopolitical zones of the federation.

Atiku’s proposals, addressed to the Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman, Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Barau Jibrin, and dated August 30, 2024, also contained recommendations such as procedures for the educational qualification of candidate(s) in elections, internal democracy in political parties and rotation of presidential position among the six geo-political zones of the country.

In a document obtained, the former vice president said Section 135(2) of the Nigerian Constitution should be amended to read: “Subject to the provisions of the subsection (1), the President shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of six years commencing from the date.

READ ALSO:

In the explanatory note covering the proposals, Atiku said the amendments sought in the review of the constitution were aimed at seeking to raise the standard of the educational qualification of political office seekers, and an end to violent takeover of political parties, thereby strengthening the internal structure of political parties.

Others are to reduce the tendencies of political parties to breach the constitution, the Electoral Act, rules and guidelines made thereunder, and the constitution of the political party.

He said: “The implication of the above is that political parties are allowed very wide latitude to breach the perimeter of laws on elections.

“Such indiscipline by political parties and infidelity to the electoral parameters yield chaos in the system. The above amendments will enthrone the discipline that is needed in a democracy.”
He said that the recommendations he has put forth to the National Assembly for amendments in the country’s election laws were areas where there were pitfalls in the subsisting laws regulating elections in Nigeria.

Atiku proposes six-year single tenure rotational presidency

News

Hire military contractors to wipe out Boko Haram, Ndume tells Tinubu

Published

13 hours ago

October 3, 2024

Trends Admin

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume

Hire military contractors to wipe out Boko Haram, Ndume tells Tinubu

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider hiring military contractors to eliminate Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.

While praising the military and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) ‘s efforts, Ndume emphasized that they lack the equipment necessary to fully defeat the remaining terrorists.

“Governments worldwide use military contractors in specific operations,” Ndume said. He suggested that these contractors, working alongside the military and CJTF, could swiftly wipe out Boko Haram.

He also mentioned their potential use in the fight against bandits in the North West.

Ndume proposed this as a short-term solution, stating that the federal government could focus on recruiting up to a million young Nigerians into the military over time. For now, he believes hiring contractors is crucial.

His call followed a recent Boko Haram attack in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area, where six farmers were killed, and five others, including women, were kidnapped.

READ ALSO:

Filibus Yakubu, a local councillor, confirmed the attack and noted that many villagers were still missing. He added that despite their efforts, the military and CJTF could not repel the attackers, and among the casualties was a CJTF commander, Jubril Dada Zarana.

The attack came weeks after another Boko Haram bombing, which claimed the lives of several civilians and injured many more. According to Yakubu, the terrorists targeted farmers while they were working in their fields.

He said, “The Army and CJTF did their best, but they couldn’t hold the attackers for long.”

Three women released by Boko Haram provided information on the recent events. The released captives said that the terrorists were still holding other victims. On Independence Day, a time typically associated with celebration, Yakubu described the situation as one of “sorrow, despair, and helplessness.”

He expressed the dire conditions in Ngoshe and surrounding villages, where residents face a lack of essential supplies. Despite this, they remain in their homeland, bound by their deep love for the region. Local farming, their primary means of survival, has become increasingly dangerous due to Boko Haram’s activities.

Yakubu concluded by appealing for aid, saying, “Only God can save the people of Ngoshe and nearby villages like Gava, Amuda, Chinene, and others.”

Hire military contractors to wipe out Boko Haram, Ndume tells Tinubu

News

Rivers govt declares Thursday, Friday public holidays for LG poll

Published

13 hours ago

October 3, 2024

Trends Admin

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara

Rivers govt declares Thursday, Friday public holidays for LG poll

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has declared Thursday and Friday as public holidays to enable residents of the state to travel to their various communities ahead of the Saturday local government elections.

The governor also announced restriction of vehicular movement from midnight on Friday, October 4 to 5pm on the election day.

Governor Fubara made the declaration in a statewide broadcast from Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.

He said following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the chairmen and councilors of the 23 local government councils on June 17, 2023, he lawfully instituted caretaker committees to temporarily administer the councils pending when the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) would conduct the LG election in the state.

The governor said as a move to entrench sustainable democracy and good governance in the country’s local government system, “the Supreme Court by its judgement in SC/CV/343/2024: A-G Federation v A-G Abia State and 35 Ors delivered on 11th July 2024 effectively outlawed the administration of our local government councils with unelected officers and made several orders including the immediate stoppage of statutory allocations to Local Government Councils without democratically elected local government councils.”

He said following Mr President’s intervention, the period for compliance with the Supreme Court’s judgment was graciously extended by three months, which will expire on October 31, 2024.

READ ALSO:

He said, “On the strength of these positive developments, I directed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to take definite steps to conduct local government elections for the 23 local government councils of Rivers State.

“Acting per this directive the RSIEC has since fixed and concluded all arrangements to conduct the local government council elections on Saturday, 5th October 2024.

“The legal impetus of RSIEC to conduct the local government elections was further strengthened by the judgment of the Rivers State High Court in Suit No: PHC/2696/CS/2024 delivered on the 4th of September 2024, which positively directed the Governor of Rivers State, the Government of Rivers State and the RSIEC to conduct the scheduled local government elections on the 5th of October, 2025 using the 2023 Independent National Electoral Commission’s Voters Register already in the custody of RSIEC.

“As of today, RVSIEC has expressed and demonstrated concrete and verifiable capacity and readiness to conduct the 2024 Rivers State Local Government Elections on the 5th of October 2024.

“As of today, 17 out of 18 registered political parties, including the All Progressives Congress, have expressly and actively demonstrated their willingness to participate by filling candidates with RSIEC for the election.

“….To this end, I hereby declare Thursday and Friday, the 3rd and 4th of October 2024 as public holidays for citizens to travel to their communities and participate in the election.

“Furthermore, I hereby place a total restriction on vehicular and human movements into, within, and out of the State, and the Local Government Areas, from midnight of Friday 4th October 2024 to 5.00 p.m. on Saturday 5th October 2024, except for persons and vehicles valid identifications who are on election and other essential duties.

“The police and other security agencies have clear directives from the State’s Security Council to arrest and prosecute any person or group who attempts to violate the restriction on human and vehicular movements on election day.”