The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) B-Zone on Tuesday alleged that the first set of appointments by Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State was with high level of religious discrimination against Muslims in the state.
MSSN in a statement signed by Barrister Qaasim Odedeji (Amir/Zonal Coordinator), Alh Abdul Jalil AbdurRasaq (Secretary) and Engr Bashir Momoh (Public Relations Officer), a copy of which was made available to DAILY POST in Ibadan described the appointed of Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary (all Christians) as “a breach of trust and clear departure from the principles of objective policy embedded in the 1999 constitution”.
The association said, “Fayemi is holding the position for the second term. In his first term in office, he appeared a bit fair to the Muslims in comparison to his predecessors in office.
“This attitude of Fayemi endeared him to Muslims in Ekiti State and beyond who saw in him a sense of fairness and a true demonstration of what a “Right Activist” and leader of civil society organization that he was before turning a politician should be.
“Therefore, Dr Fayemi got an overwhelming support of Ekiti Muslims who constitute about 40 per cent of the entire population of Ekiti state in his bid to return to office in 2014 and 2018 governorship elections.
“It is also important to state that the position of the Muslims as stated above was paid for when Ayodele Fayose won the 2014 election and did not hide his hatred for the Muslims in words and actions. Therefore, it was not surprising that Fayemi got the Muslims’ support in 2018 election despite various antics employed by Mr Fayose to secure the Muslim’s votes by hook and trickery.
“It is, therefore, a breach of trust and clear departure from the principles of objective policy embedded in 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria when Dr John Kayode Fayemi named his Secretary to State Government, Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary with all of them Christians making Ekiti government now fully Christianized.
“The MSSN B-ZONE, covering the entire 17 States of Southern Nigeria including Ekiti State, rejects this appointments and considers them unfair, irresponsible, discriminatory and insensitive to the highest order. It is an attempt to paint Muslims as non-existent in the politics of Ekiti State. Is Fayemi claiming that there are no Muslims who are qualified to hold those positions within the fold of his party in Ekiti State? How come no such discrimination is seen in any other South West states where Muslims are a clear majority.
“We wonder if Fayemi is now initiated into the club of the people of his faith who find religious solace in the marginalization of Islam and the Muslims? Or perhaps he has an accord to subjugate and marginalize Muslims? With who he might have had such accord is also a thing of wonder. Could it be the Christian Association of Nigeria? Or is it just that Dr Fayemi has developed so much disregard for Muslims?
“Against the above background, we call on the leadership of APC in Nigeria and in particular Ekiti State to prevail on Dr Fayemi to, as a matter of urgency, reverse the recently-made appointments and reconstitute same in a fair and equitable manner.
MSSN, however, urged Fayemi to consider equity and fairness in his subsequent appointment of commissioners and advisers among others.
They said, “We also call on Dr Fayemi to consider equity and fairness in his subsequent appointment of Commissioners, Advisers, Chairmen and Members of Boards and Parastatals.
“The MSSN B-Zone is determined, more than ever before, to work in collaboration with other groups with similar objectives in making sure that Muslims are not relegated to background in any State of our jurisdiction and we are ready to take actions necessary including but not limited to legal action against any government or it’s official trying to treat us as second-class citizens in this Country. And let whoever cares know that the era when people use their office to subjugate and undermine the position of Muslims is gone for good Inshaa Allah”.
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