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Ensure justice, fairness in your new cabinet, Oyo Muslims advises Makinde
Muslims under the aegis of the Muslim Community of Oyo State have appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde, to ensure that justice and fairness manifest in the constitution of his new cabinet.
They noted that this is necessary in order to ensure that the rights of Muslims are not being denied.
It could be recalled that Governor Makinde dissolved his cabinet last month.
The Muslims, however, advised the governor to ensure justice, fairness and equity in the appointment of his new cabinet.
They made this disclosure in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Muslim Community, Ishaq Kunle Sanni, and Secretary, Murisiku Siyanbade on Friday.
The duo in the statement decried that the recently dissolved cabinet members appointed by Makinde had 16 appointees, 11 of which were Christians while only 5 were Muslims.
They however urged Governor Makinde to avoid such lopsided appointments in his yet-to-be constituted cabinet.
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This, according to them, would promote peace and harmony in the state.
While noting that the governor has the right to “fire and hire”, the Muslim community said that the governor will not lose anything if he uses his appointment to promote religious harmony in the state.
The statement said: “It is no longer news that the Oyo State Governor, H.E. Engineer Seyi Makinde, in exercising his constitutional right, has dissolved his cabinet. Nobody conversant with the law can query the power of a Governor to hire and fire any of his political appointees.
“What concerns us as a Muslim Community is, ensuring that the rights of the Muslims are not jeopardized in the hurly-burly and political gerrymandering in the State.
“When Governor Makinde first came into office in 2019, he (in August of that year), appointed 14 Commissioners, as members of the State Executive Council.
“In this write-up, we are only going to be looking at appointments directly made by His Excellency, The Governor. Thus, the SSG, Chief of Staff and 14 Commissioners, totaling 16, were the only officials appointed by The Governor directly in 2019.
“The lion’s share of 11 went to the Christians while only a smattering 5 were Muslims, ratio 11:5 against Muslims.
“We hereby admonish H.E. Engr Seyi Makinde, to spare us a listening ear. Your Excellency, you don’t lose anything by promoting religious equity in all that you do sir. Rather, you win more hearts”.
