PROTEST: Why Sanwo-Olu’s Commissioner-nominees’ List must be dropped, Lagos Muslims tell Assembly

*As Sheikh Ahmad, Prof Gbadamosi, Prof Akintola, others say proposed cabinet formation breaches constitutional provisions

*Slam Gov for betraying their loyalty towards his govt

*We are aware of your role in our election successes – Chief Whip responds

*Says ‘Our action over your demand will make you happy’

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

“The Rt. Hon. Speaker and honorable members, we want you to note that this list from Governor Sanwo-Olu violates the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria particularly Section 14(4) and is further strengthened by section 192(2) both stating as follows.”

The Muslim Community of Lagos State took its rejection of what it called lopsided appointment of people nominated to form Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s next cabinet to a higher level, as it mobilised several Islamic organisations in protest to the state House of Assembly Alausa, Ikeja, the state capital, on Wednesday.

The DEFENDER, which was at the scene of the protest, reports that the Muslim Ummah of the state, in the words of Convener, Joint Muslim Forum (JMF) and National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria Sheikh AbdulRahman Ahmad, was unhappy that Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashir Ajayi Obasa, had remained silent over the first protest letter written against the Commissioner-nominees’ List submitted to him by the governor hence the second letter now followed with a physical protest.

Addressing the gathering while security operatives blocked the peaceful protesting Muslims from gaining entrance into the Assembly Complex, Sheikh Ahmad cautioned against unruly behaviour as there was no need to use anger in demanding for their rights.

He had earlier questioned why the police operatives led by a female Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Popoola Elizabeth, had to shut the gate at them despite seeing that Muslim leaders present are respected personalities in the society.

Sheikh Ahmad said, “He that wants to fight does not wear agbada. We are Muslims and not hoodlums. We do not know how to carry weapons. We are here to tell the elected leaders about the injustice they have done to us and which we don’t want to continue.”

But after some minutes, 84-year-old President of the Muslim Community of Lagos State, Professor Tajudeen Gbadamosi, emerged from the complex and was soon joined by three lawmakers namely Honourable Jubreel AbdulKareem (Agege Comstituency 2), Honourable Lukmon Sa’adallahi Olumo (Ajeromi Ifelodun Constituency 2) and Honourable AbdulMajeed AbdulFattah Adebola, Chief Whip/Chairman Commissioner-nominees Screening Committee, trio of who listened to the complaints and received the petition letter of the Muslims on behalf of the Speaker.

Professor Gbadamosi had read the letter to both the protesters and lawmakers before handling it to representatives of the Speaker for onward transmission to him.

The letter, dated 16th August 2023 and addressed to Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, The Honorable Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, Ikeja, was titled, “PETITION ON THE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MUSLIMS IN THE NOMINATION OF COMMISSIONERS”.

The Muslim Community, according to the letter, said: “We are here today to express our grievance and dissatisfaction against the blatant disregard for justice, equity and fairness in the proposed Lagos State’ Executive cabinet as contained in the list of commissioners nominees submitted by Governor Sanwo-Olu to this honorable House for your screening and confirmation.

“As you are aware, the list is a classic case of discrimination and religious bigotry, as it has 31 nominees who are of the Christian faith and only eight (8) nominees who are Muslims. 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.

“The Rt. Hon. Speaker and honorable members, we want you to note that this list from Governor Sanwo-Olu violates the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria particularly Section 14(4) and is further strengthened by section 192(2) both stating as follows.

““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.”

“With due respect Governor Sanwo-Olu’s list clearly violates these provisions of the Constitution and we accordingly call upon this honorable House not to endorse any action that violates our national grundnorm, especially one which equally violates good conscience and natural justice.

“The argument that Muslims have more elected officials in Lagos State in preposterous. This is even more so at a time when all the Six (6) Governors of the southwest are Christians and we the Muslims do not complain about this, because we recognise that they contested for offices and won.

“Why must Muslims in Lagos State always beg and fight for their constitutional rights especially since Mr Sanwo-olu became Governor? We recall with utmost sadness really, that until the Supreme Court ruled in favour of hijab for our school girls, 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. The historic pro-hijab judgement was delivered in March 2022 and globally acknowledged. However, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s government in its peculiar idiosyncrasy chose to ignore this until a year later, after ceaseless pressure was mounted by well-meaning individuals.

“We the Muslims of, and in Lagos State wish to categorically state that the entire leadership of the Muslim Community of Lagos State representing various Muslim organizations, unequivocally and unanimously reject the list of commissioner-designates of Governor Sanwo-Olu and we demand a reversal and review to reflect 60% in favour of Muslims in a fresh list.

“We call on the Lagos State House of Assembly to reject the list as similarly done in the Niger State House of Assembly, where a noticeably minority Christian population demanded a reversal of the list of commissioners to reflect fairness and equity to them. We also call on you and the House of Assembly to impress on the government the need to respect the diversity of the state’s population and to appoint a more representative cabinet. We believe that this is essential for the future stability and prosperity of Lagos State,” the letter said as read Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi, President, Muslim Community of Lagos State.

Contributing, Deputy President, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji AbdulRafiu Ebiti, made the Lagos State governor realise that he would not mind to say “when cheating becomes too much, it will come to an end one day”.

He pointed out to the Speaker’s representatives not to think that the small number of Muslims present at the protest rally is the whole. “We are more than this,” he said because, on the mimbar across the nooks and crannies of Lagos State, Muslims worked for election success of Sanwo-Olu but are surprised this is how he would treat them.

Another leader said Lagos State House of Assembly should choose one of two options, saying the lawmakers should either tell them they will ammendment the Sanwo-Olu’s list or that they will not make ammendment.

He said Muslims leaders in Lagos State did something in the last election that they never did before, which was the huge support and votes mobilisation they gave to Governor Sanwo-Olu.

He, therefore, expressed disappointment that “This is how Governor Sanwo-Olu will come back to treat us” despite all his promises during the electioneering campaigns.

Responding, Honourable AbdulMajeed AbdulFattah Adebola, who spoke on behalf of Honourable Jubreel AbdulKareem and Honourable Lukman Saadallahi for the Speaker, acknowledged that they were aware of the fact of roles played my Muslim Community of Lagos State during the election, “to the extent that if you did not give us the support that you gave, we would not have gotten what we got”.

The lawmaker said, “We agree about the constitutional provisions and promise that we will do what will make you happy at the end of the day”.

Before calling for closing prayer, Sheikh AbdulRahman Ahmad told the lawmakers that, “If you do not fulfill your promise with us, wallahi, Allah will not fulfill your own promise. If you fail us, we leave you to Allah.

“Allah used us to dry your cries. We have come to you now crying for justice, you must dry our own cries also,” he said.

The Muslims carried placards with a big, wide banner at the front with diverse inscriptions such as: “Muslims say No to religious bigotry in lagos”; “All we ask is fairness! All we demand is inclusion!”; “Stop the screening now, we want justice”; “Mr Sanwo-olu, you are violating the constitution (Section 14 Sub 4)”; “Gov Sanwo-Olu, this “bamu bamu layo” politics no good ooo” and “We reject Sanwo-Olu’s Duscriminatory project in lagos…. O to ge!”

Muslim dignitaries present included Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi; Prof imIshaq Akintola, Executive Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC); Sheikh AbdulRahman Ahmad, National Missioner Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of; Sheikh AbdulRahman Adam Gbadamosi, National Missional, Qaureeb; Prof AbdulKareem Badmus, among several others grom across all Islamic organisations in lagos State without exception.