Lagos Muslim Community Demands Review Of Cabinet’s List

The Lagos Muslim Community has requested for a review of the proposed Lagos State’s Executive cabinet list of commissioners nominees submitted by Governor Sanwo-Olu to the Lagos State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The President of the group, Professor Tajudeen Gbadamosi said this during a protest held on Wednesday, while reading out a letter written and addresed to the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly on Wednesday.

He said the move was a disregard for justice, fairness, and equity by the Lagos State Government.

He said various organisations within the general Muslim Community in Lagos State have voiced their displeasure against the disproportionate list of 8 Muslim Commissioners and 31 Christian Commissioners in the Cabinet of 39 members.

Review
Professor Gbadamosi said the list is unfair compared to the percentage of Muslims in the state and requested for a review.

He said complaint has so far been ignored by the Lagos State Government (LASG), and the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA), which commenced screening of the commissioner nominees on Monday 14th August 2023.

He said there was also cases of discrimination and religious bigotry, as it has 31 nominees who are of the Christian faith and only eight (8) nominees were Muslims.

Governor Sanwo-Olu violates the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria particularly Section 14(4) and is particularly Section 14(4) and is further strengthened by section 192(2) both stating as follows.

“This is not a new development, especially since Governor Sanwo-Olu assumed leadership of this State, as a matter of fact, it is has been elevated to a level of official state policy to deny Muslims their deserved positions under the Sanwo-Olu administration.

“For instance, in 2019, when Mr. Sanwo-Olu became governor, he appointed 14 Special Advisers, and only one (1) among them was a Muslim. Again, his State Executive Council, which had 43 members, only 14 were Muslims, and the remaining 29 were Christians. Also, of the 23 commissioners, 10 were Muslims and 13 of them Christians. Only 15 Muslims, with 35 Christians, made up the body of 50 Permanent Secretaries in his first term. These are just a few among numerous ways in which the Sanwo-Olu administration deny Muslims in this state their rightful place and number in leadership.”

He quoted Section 14(4) and section 192(2) both stating as follows:

“The composition of the Government of a State, a local government council, or any of the agencies of such Government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the Government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people within its area of authority and the need to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among all the peoples of the Federation.”
 
“192(2) Any appointment to the office of Commissioner of the Government of a State shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the House of Assembly of the State, be made by the Governor of that State and in making any such appointment the Governor shall conform with the provisions of section 14(4) of this Constitution.”

He said the entire leadership of the Muslim Community of Lagos State representing various Muslim organisations unanimously reject the list of commissioner-designates of Governor Sanwo-Olu demand a reversal and review to reflect 60% in favour of Muslims in a fresh list.

Lateefah Ibrahim