Lagos Cabinet:We’ll Not Accept Religious- Based Bullying, CAN Replies MURIC, Others

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Lagos chapter, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has slammed the leader of MURIC and some Islamic leaders, criticising Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over his choice on the composition of Lagos State cabinet.

Bishop Adegbite says religious intolerance has never been a consideration in appointments of public officials in the state.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos on Monday, Adegbite chides MURIC leader, Ishaq Akintola and other Islamic leaders using religion to cause disaffection and divisiveness, adding that religion has never been an issue in Lagos politics.

He said; ” As you are aware, consequent upon the list of 39 cabinet nominees of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu which was sent to the Lagos State House of Assembly on Friday, 28th July, 2023 for screening and confirmation, a coalition of over 30 Muslim groups under the aegis of Joint Muslims Forum (JMF), rejected the proposed cabinet nominees list.

“They hinged their dissatisfaction on the fact that, out of the 39 cabinet nominees, only 8 are Muslims with the rest as Christians. This came about a week after another Muslim rights advocacy group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), had condemned the cabinet nominees list describing it as illegal, adding that it failed to be fair to the Muslim population in the state. “We would like to make abundantly clear, that these remarks and actions are not only distasteful and way out of line; they are deeply condescending and we refuse to accept any form of faith and religious-based bullying behaviour neither would any semblance of such under whatever guise be tolerated.

“It would not be an exaggeration to say Lagos has enjoyed immense peace and prosperity over these years because the managers of its affairs amongst many other key elements have worked tirelessly to insulate the state from any form of religious intolerance or anything close to it.

” It is imperative to remind the purveyors of these unfortunate divisive rhetoric and toxic narratives, that, the success story of Lagos which today is regarded as a model of a place where people have lived like family and still live as such despite belonging to different faith, creed, beliefs and ethnic backgrounds is a function of respect and commitment to the principles of peaceful coexistence and not for lack of divergent opinion or perspectives on issues that concerns us all including political views and others related to it.

“As provided for in our laws, it is within the purview of Mr. Governor, after relevant consultations and objective considerations to put forward a list of cabinet nominees whose choice as expected should be based purely on merit, competence, capacity and sufficient capabilities to deliver on the set goals and objectives of the government and not on their faith or religious affiliations.

“For any group, organisation or persons to now turn such list of political nominees into a religious or faith based conversation is uncharitable and should be condemned in its entirety. It is on record, that some members of the Christian community like myself and other good people of faith supported and worked for the victory of the much attacked muslim-muslim ticket of President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON. This was not done for any personal gain but out of conviction of what they could do to transform the fortunes of our country, a pathway that is slowly but firmly being charted.

“Religion or faith was not on the front burner while doing this but a corporate interest that we are certain will be rewarded with good governance and dividends of democracy.

“Similarly, in electing the current Speaker of the State House of Assembly (leader of the Legislature) and the appointment of the present Chief Judge of the State (the head of the Judiciary), no member of the Christian community demanded that faith or religion should be a criteria rather, competence and their ranking was used.

“Today, the 3 serving Distinguished Senators representing the 3 Senatorial Districts of the State in the 10th Senate are Muslims. It is a fact, that those who voted for them include members of the Christian community in their constituencies. Religion or faith wasn’t a basis for their choice.

“In addition to this, over 60 per cent of the 24 members elected into the 10th House of Representatives from Lagos are Muslims. Same can be said of the 40 member Lagos State House of Assembly. And during their swearing-in, there was no demand that unless an equal number of members are Christians, they must not be sworn-in as prescribed by law. One then wonders why the list of cabinet nominees should be subjected to issues of religion and faith when the Christian community has never and would never such mundane demands.

“We hereby urge the Lagos State House of Assembly to peacefully continue the constitutional process of screening and confirmation of the nominees which they started yesterday, Sunday 13th August, 2023 and not give ears to or be swayed in anyway by the incongruous and unsavoury demands by these group of persons.

“We also plead with well meaning citizens of the state to kindly disregard any call that is capable of igniting religious emotions and sentiments. We promise to continue to pray and support our governments at all levels including our state for them to meet the yearnings and expectations of the citizenry that voted them into power without any religious bias but that believe and trust that they can deliver.”