Nigeria: Tinubu’s Cupboard -Elect for Extra Ministers Than Christians

Indications emerged final week that the jostle for inclusion within the cupboard of the following federal administration had intensified as some Muslims pleaded with President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu to present extra ministerial appointments to members of their very own religion than their Christian counterparts.

They begged Tinubu to present Muslims in Muslim-majority states no less than 4 ministerial appointments per geo-political zone after his inauguration.

There are six states in every of the six geo-political zones viz South-South, South-West, North-Central, North-East and North-West.

Solely the South-East has 5 states.

The 1999 Structure (as amended) gives that every of the 36 states of the federation should have one native within the federal cupboard.

Part 6, Half 1, Part 147 of the Structure, titled, ‘Ministers of Federal Authorities’, says particularly: “3 – Any appointment beneath Subsection 2 by the President shall be in conformity with the provisions of Part 14 (3) of this Structure: supplied that in giving impact to the provisions aforesaid the President shall appoint no less than one Minister from every state who shall be an indigene of such state”.

The implication of the Muslims’ foyer is that any geo-political zone the place individuals of their very own religion are within the majority, Muslims ought to have 4 Ministers within the Tinubu cupboard whereas Christians ought to be contented with two.

They listed affected states to incorporate Taraba, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Kogi, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Niger, Kaduna, Kebbi and Lagos.

The foyer is approaching the heels of the controversy generated by the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which received the February 25, 2023 election.

These in favour of the ticket had stated what was vital was the competence of the presidential candidate and his working mate whereas these in opposition stated the event would embolden Muslim hardliners to attempt to Islamize the nation.

Individually, the lobbyists made a case for a high job for the outgoing governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, within the Tinubu administration.

They initiatially wished a ‘juicy job’ for the governor earlier than altering their phrases to ‘high job’.

The Muslims, who spoke beneath the aegis of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), made their case in a press release titled ‘MURIC to Tinubu: Give Muslims in Muslim-Majority States 4 Ministers Every’

“As Nigeria warms up for the inauguration of a brand new administration beneath the in a position, examined and trusted management of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we remind the incoming President and different Nigerians of previous political marginalization of Muslims in Muslim-majority states since independence”, the assertion signed by Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC Govt

Director, stated.

Marginalisation

Citing the marginalisation of Muslims in some elements of the nation beneath successive administrations regardless of being within the majority and the chance the Tinubu presidency presents to redress the event, the assertion stated: “We’re deeply disturbed that it’s only within the core-North the place now we have states like Sokoto, Borno, Katsina, and many others that the best of Muslims to be included in governance is revered.

“Former Christian army Heads of State and civilian Presidents have intentionally marooned Muslims from the political structure of Muslim-majority states.

“Christians, who have been appointed governors over Muslim-majority areas and states, have been secretly given directions to both flip or shake the demographic desk in favour of Christianity. “Sadly this occurred at a time when Muslims have been nonetheless affected by paucity of political consciousness in these areas and states.

“Examples of previous denial of Muslims in participatory democracy might be discovered within the appointments of Col David Bamigboye as army governor of Kwara State, a predominantly Muslim-majority state (Could 1967 – July 1975) by Basic Jack Gowon (rtd). Lt. Col. Francis Adekunle Fajuyi was additionally appointed army governor of the Western Area by Basic Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi.

“The South-West had earlier been led primarily by Christian political leaders that includes Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola and Chief Victor Babaremilekun Adetokunbo Fani-Kayode. The Christianisation agenda of the South-West had additionally been championed by Christian army directors and governors like Lt. Col. Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, Mobolaji Johnson, Christopher Oluwole Rotimi, Navy Cap Akintunde Aduwo, Col. David Jemibewon, and many others.

“Obasanjo and Jonathan out-Heroded Herod. All of the six Ministers appointed by them from the South-West have been Christians and Muslims have been completely excluded from federal appointments beneath them. Worse nonetheless, they appointed Christians as Ministers from core Muslim states like Bauchi, Kwara and Kaduna.

“This coverage of complete political blackout for Muslims in Muslim-majority states is opposite to the rules of participatory democracy. It’s heartless political exclusion and the peak of spiritual apartheid. We condemn it within the strongest phrases.

“Due to this fact, as the brand new daybreak of political inclusiveness promised by President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu approaches, we demand complete departure from the previous tortuous political marginalization of Muslims to finish political integration of Muslim residents in all geo-political zones.

Demand

“Specifically, MURIC calls for no less than 4 ministerial appointments every for competent Muslims out of the six ministers earmarked for each geopolitical zone the place Muslims command majority after Tinubu’s inauguration. “We urge governors in Muslim-majority states to keep away from marginalizing Muslims in nominations for ministerial posts.

“We refer particularly to states like Taraba, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Kogi, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Niger, Kaduna, Kebbi, Lagos, and many others.

“Nigerian Muslims demand truthful illustration. We demand inclusiveness and full integration into the Nigerian political area. That is with out prejudice to the desire for competence.

“The data set by Professor Ishaq Oloyede (JAMB Registrar) and Professor Isa Ali Pantami (Minister of Communications and Digital Financial system) in workplace stay indubitable proof of hidden administrative icons amongst Nigerian Muslims though solely unbiased Presidents and governors will discover them.

“We’re not asking Tinubu to sacrifice excellence on the altar of mediocrity. We’ve no scintilla of doubt that there are eminently certified Muslims in all fields of human endeavour.

“We assert clearly, emphatically and categorically that failure to search out appropriate Muslims in any state of the federation for a ministerial appointment is like failure to search out coal in Newcastle.

“In fact it’s only logical that Ministers from states like Sokoto, Borno, Kano and Jigawa will all be Muslims whereas these from Enugu, Anambra, Rivers and Cross Rivers can be an all-Christian affair. The governors in these states could give one or two minorities appointments as commissioners and board members.”

‘Juicy’ put up

In one other assertion titled, ‘El-Rufai Deserves Juicy Put up’, the group hinged its place for a ‘juicy’ put up for El-Rufai beneath the Tinubu administration on the position performed by the Kaduna governor and eleven fellow governors from the North in making certain that the South obtained the mandate throughout the APC presidential main.

“As the times inch nearer to the inauguration of the brand new administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigerian political spectrum has been inundated with energy wrestle intrigues and put up allocation schemes. This isn’t new to us since we all know that failure is an orphan however winners are all the time surrounded by one and all”, the assertion stated.

“Nevertheless, we deem it germane to remind the president-elect of the necessity to pay money owed owed and respect those that made his present standing a fait accompli. That is vital with a view to begin sowing the seed of success for the incoming administration in addition to to safe a powerful foothold for 2027.

“Gratitude is a significant attribute of a superb Muslim. Allah says within the Superb Qur’an, ‘In case you are grateful, I’ll enhance my favours on you…’ (Qur’an 14:7). If the president-elect reveals appreciation to the ‘Noble Dozen’ from the North, he’ll get pleasure from extra of their solidarity.

“It’s noteworthy that the ‘Noble Dozen’ (i.e. the twelve governors who insisted that energy should shift to the South) was led by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State.

“There is no such thing as a Nigerian who’s unaware of the distinctive help and unequalled solidarity given by this northern group to the president-elect. El-Rufai specifically left his palatial workplace in Kaduna to spend days in Abuja.

“His contribution to our victory, the victory of the Muslim-Muslim ticket is unquantifiable. He grew to become the mouthpiece of the Muslim-Muslim ticket camp, transferring from one media home to a different. We should not permit all these to go in useless”.

Apology

However in one other assertion about 24 hours later, entitled, MURIC Withdraws The Phrase ‘Juicy’, Replaces It With ‘High’, Apologises, the group stated: “Our consideration has been drawn to the phrase ‘juicy’ utilized in yesterday’s assertion as not being respectable sufficient.

“Within the assertion, we canvassed for a high put up to be given to Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State within the incoming administration. We inadvertently used the phrase ‘juicy put up’ as a substitute of ‘high put up’ It’s not in our character to be insolent, unfastened or to make use of vulgar language.

“We hereby withdraw the phrase ‘juicy’ and exchange it with the phrase ‘high’. We apologise to all those that may need taken observe of the offensive phrase.”