The Companion (an association of Muslim men in business and the professions) has sent a letter to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, complaining about his list of Commissioner nominees.
It said it was unacceptable to allocate less than 25% of the cabinet to Muslims in spite of their huge population and support for the Sanwo-Olu in the last election.
In the letter copied to the Lagos State House of Assembly and signed by AbdKabir Layiwola Baruwa, Amir (Chairman) , Lagos District, The Companion thereafter asked the governor to transmit to the House of Assembly, a supplementary list that will increase the percentage of Muslims in the cabinet to at least 50%.
The full letter to the Governor reads:
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Governor’s Office,
Alausa, Ikeja,
Lagos.
Dear Sir,
EXPRESSION OF CONCERN ABOUT THE LIST OF NOMINEES FOR THE POST OF COMMISSIONERS AND SPECIAL ADVISERS IN LAGOS STATE
On behalf of members of The Companion and the teaming population of Muslims in particular and other well wishers in Lagos state, we wish to congratulate you again on your victory at the 2023 gubernatorial polls and reiterate our support for your administration for a successful second tenure.
We believe that your T.H.E.M.E.S.+ agenda for the second term in office is in the right direction and capable to further endeared your administration to majority of Muslims in Lagos.
It is also a common knowledge sir, that, in the election which brought you into office, Muslims in Lagos state openly campaigned and voted for you massively in spite of the fact that a fellow Muslim contested against you. We also note that the last election was characterized by apathy in Lagos State which led to the loss of the APC in the Presidential election.
However, Muslims rose to the occasion by mobilizing and voting massively to ensure your victory. It is in the light of this that we want to call your attention to the list of 39 nominees proposed for appointment as commissioners and Special Advisers forwarded by you to the Lagos State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
We observe with serious concern and reservation that the list falls short of our expectations as Muslims. It does not in any way reflect the strength of support which the Muslims in Lagos gave you at the elections. Lagos State has an abundance of qualified Muslims (both male and female) in all spheres of life including every local government that could be selected as commissioners in the state.
We therefore consider it unacceptable to allocate less than 25% of your cabinet to Muslims in spite of our huge population and support. The list does not reflect “social inclusion” as depicted in your T.H.E.M.E.S “plus” agenda. It is also offending to note that this is coming at a time when all Governors in the South West region are non-Muslims. We strongly hope that this is not an agenda to reduce Muslims to a state of insignificance in Lagos as this has political consequences.
In view of the above, we call for the immediate transmission of a supplementary list that will increase the percentage of Muslims in the cabinet to at least 50%. Kindly take immediate action sir.
Thank you. Yours faithfully,
For: The COMPANION
Signed
AbdKabir Layiwola Baruwa, FCA
Amir, Lagos District
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