Lagos state residents protest over Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s 8 Muslims, 31 Christians cabinet list

The Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has received criticisms from residents over his 39-man commissioner-nominee which has 8 Muslims and 31 Christians..…

Following the announcement, the leaders of the Lagos State Islamic Community have expressed their displeasure at the number of Muslims selected as commissioners.

On Wednesday, August 16, several Muslims stormed out in their numbers to protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly. They urge the lawmakers to reject the list.

President of the Muslim community in Lagos State, Prof. Tajudeen Gbadamosi who led the protest submitted their petition to the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.

He accused Sanwo-Olu of neglecting the Muslims in his appointments and sidelining them from top political positions in the state.

Gbadamosi called on the Lagos state Governor to respect the diversity of the state’s population and give room for the representation of Muslims in his government.

The petition reads:

“This is not a new development, especially since Governor Sanwo-Olu assumed leadership of this State, as a matter of fact, it is has been elevated to a level of official state policy to deny Muslims their deserved positions under the Sanwo-Olu administration.

“For instance, in 2019, when Mr. Sanwo-Olu became governor, he appointed 14 Special Advisers, and only one (1) among them was a Muslim. Again, his State Executive Council, which had 43 members, only 14 were Muslims, and the remaining 29 were Christians. Also, of the 23 commissioners, 10 were Muslims and 13 of them Christians. Only 15 Muslims, with 35 Christians, made up the body of 50 Permanent Secretaries in his first term. These are just a few among numerous ways in which the Sanwo-Olu administration deny Muslims in this state their rightful place and number in leadership.”

They cited Section 14(4) and Section 192(2) of the Nigerian Constitution which states that;

“The composition of the Government of a State, a local government council, or any of the agencies of such Government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the Government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people within its area of authority and the need to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among all the peoples of the Federation.”

“192(2) Any appointment to the office of Commissioner of the Government of a State shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the House of Assembly of the State, be made by the Governor of that State and in making any such appointment the Governor shall conform with the provisions of section 14(4) of this Constitution.”…