Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
An Islamic organisation in Ondo State has raised the alarm over what it describes as the systematic exclusion of Muslims from key government positions, citing a complete absence of Muslim judges on the state's High Court bench and the sidelining of Muslim civil servants in the selection of Permanent Secretaries. The At-Tanzil Islamic Foundation, speaking at a news conference in Akure on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, as part of its 20th-anniversary commemorations, urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to embrace inclusive governance and ensure equitable representation for Muslims in political and administrative appointments.
The foundation's Founder and Chairman, Alhaji Abdul-Rafiu Ajiboye Lagbaji, who also serves as the Ondo State Chairman of the Yoruba Council of Islamic Preachers, expressed disappointment over what he called the "marginalisation" of Muslims in the state's governance structure. He argued that despite Muslims constituting a significant portion of the state's population, they have been consistently excluded from top positions. According to Lagbaji, Muslims make up about 45 per cent of Ondo State's population, yet the governor, deputy governor, Secretary to the State Government, and Speaker of the House of Assembly are all Christians.
The cleric specifically pointed to the appointment of High Court judges, alleging that no Muslim currently serves on the Ondo State High Court bench. He claimed that a Muslim candidate emerged as the top performer in the examination conducted for the most recent judicial appointments but was "schemed out" in favour of a less qualified candidate. Lagbaji also raised concerns over the selection process for Permanent Secretaries, where he alleged that Muslim civil servants were pushed to the background during recent appointments.
"We urge the Governor to run an inclusive government that will give Muslims equal opportunities to serve in key positions in the state," Lagbaji stated. "We lament the current position of Muslims' representation in government, which smacks of marginalisation. Among others, we cite a clear instance of the appointment of High Court judges, where no single Muslim is on the High Court Bench of Ondo State, even though a Muslim came first in the examination conducted for the last set of appointments but was schemed out for a less qualified candidate".
The foundation called for a balanced recognition of people of all faiths in the governance of the state, proposing a model where a Muslim could serve as deputy governor to a Christian governor, and vice versa. "We clamour for balanced recognition of people of all faiths in the governance of Ondo State, where a Muslim will serve as Deputy Governor to a Christian Governor, and vice versa," Lagbaji said.
The allegations of marginalisation are not new. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) had previously highlighted the imbalance in political appointments across the South-West. In Ondo, the ratio of Christian to Muslim commissioners was 15 to two under the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, while Governor Aiyedatiwa later constituted a six-member cabinet without a single Muslim commissioner. MURIC has also demanded that political parties in Ekiti and Ondo give Muslims the post of deputy governor if they want Muslim votes in the 2027 elections.
While acknowledging Governor Aiyedatiwa's willingness to listen to concerns, Lagbaji urged the administration to take urgent measures to prevent flooding in parts of the state and to address the rising cost of living, inflation, unemployment, and insecurity. He also appealed to the federal government to expand nomadic education beyond the northern region to riverine communities across the country as part of efforts to address the rising number of out-of-school children.
The foundation, which has supported orphans, widows, students, and vulnerable families across the state for two decades, said it would continue to advocate for inclusive governance and community development. Lagbaji disclosed that the grand finale of the foundation's anniversary celebrations on Sunday, August 16, would be attended by the Emir of Kano, His Highness Khalifa Dr. Muhammad Sanusi II, who would deliver the anniversary lecture.
The Ondo State Government has yet to issue an official response to the allegations. However, the foundation's call for inclusivity has added to the growing debate over religious representation in Nigeria's political and administrative appointments, particularly in the South-West, where Christian governors now lead all six states. As the 2027 elections approach, the issue of religious balance in governance is likely to remain a contentious and defining feature of the political landscape.
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