The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has rejected the candidate reportedly endorsed by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, ahead of the 2027 governorship election, alleging an attempt to impose a Christian successor in the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights group accused the governor of promoting what it described as a “religious script” aimed at sidelining Muslims in the state’s political leadership.
MURIC claimed that Makinde, who is a Christian and currently serving his second term, is seeking to sustain what it termed “Christian dominance” in Oyo State governance by backing a successor of the same faith.
“It is turn by turn,” Akintola stated, insisting that after eight years of a Christian governor, power should shift to a Muslim. He argued that allowing another Christian to succeed Makinde would amount to a continuation of alleged marginalisation of Muslims.
The group further accused the governor of favouring Christians in the distribution of state resources, alleging that Muslims have been left in poverty and treated as “third-class citizens.”
MURIC also warned that such a move could heighten religious tension in the state, urging Muslim leaders and stakeholders to resist what it described as an imposition through “legitimate means.”
The statement extended its criticism beyond Oyo State, noting that all six governors in the South-West region are Christians, a situation it described as unfair given what it claimed to be the demographic strength of Muslims in the region.
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The group called on political parties in the South-West to consider Muslim candidates in future gubernatorial elections, stressing the need for what it termed equitable power-sharing.
As of the time of filing this report, the Oyo State Government had not issued an official response to the allegations made by MURIC.
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