Muslims in Edo State have accused Governor Adams Oshiomhole of\u00a0marginalization, saying it has resolved to vote in future elections any\u00a0political party that sees Edo Muslims as stakeholders.<\/p>\n
In an open letter to the Edo Governor signed by the Coordinator General,\u00a0Edo Muslims, Alhaji Sirajudeen Mohammed, the association accused\u00a0Oshiomhole of not only undermining Muslims in the state but also denying\u00a0its student the rights to study Islamic Religious knowledge in state owned
\nschools.<\/p>\n
The open letter reads:<\/p>\n
Dear\u00a0 Comrade\u00a0 Governor,\u00a0 we\u00a0 are\u00a0 using\u00a0 this\u00a0 medium\u00a0 once\u00a0 again\u00a0 to\u00a0call\u00a0 on\u00a0 you\u00a0 and\u00a0 your constituent elites to the unfair treatments the\u00a0EdoMuslims have suffered under your watch. We have made several attempts\u00a0to have this discussion behind close door, but your continual refusal\u00a0to\u00a0 receive\u00a0 us\u00a0 (the\u00a0 Edo\u00a0 Muslims\u00a0 for\u00a0 Equity\u00a0 and\u00a0 Good\u00a0 Governance\u00a0EMEGG)\u00a0 and\u00a0 the\u00a0 Nigeria Supreme\u00a0 Council\u00a0 for\u00a0 Islamic\u00a0 Affairs,\u00a0 NSCIA)\u00a0Edo\u00a0 State\u00a0 Chapter,\u00a0 which\u00a0 is\u00a0 the\u00a0 Apex\u00a0 Islamic body in the nation),
\nhas resulted to this open letter.<\/p>\n
It\u00a0 may\u00a0 interest\u00a0 you\u00a0 to\u00a0 know\u00a0 that\u00a0 the\u00a0 Edo\u00a0 Muslims\u00a0 represent\u00a0 at\u00a0least\u00a0 40%\u00a0 of\u00a0 the\u00a0 total\u00a0 state population. Indeed, every fair thinking\u00a0person would see this longtime neglect as unmerited and injustice.
\nEverywhere in the world, Muslims have been people to reckon with because\u00a0they are very responsible and law abiding citizens.\u00a0 We contributed\u00a0proportionately to the elections that produced\u00a0 you\u00a0 among\u00a0 others\u00a0 as
\nGovernor\u00a0 in\u00a0 the\u00a0 first\u00a0 and\u00a0 second\u00a0 tenures.<\/p>\n
But\u00a0 today\u00a0 you\u00a0 have neglected\u00a0 and\u00a0 downgrade\u00a0 our\u00a0 representation\u00a0 and\u00a0productivity\u00a0 by\u00a0 non\u00a0 inclusion\u00a0 of\u00a0 Muslims\u00a0 in political appointments\u00a0proportionately with other faiths. The Edo Muslims are henceforth saying\u00a0no to this inequality and undue marginalization because it is\u00a0unconstitutional, undemocratic, and incompatible\u00a0 with\u00a0 federal\u00a0characters,\u00a0 which\u00a0 is\u00a0 also at\u00a0 variance\u00a0 with\u00a0 the\u00a0 law\u00a0 of\u00a0 peaceful\u00a0coexistence and that of God\u2019s agenda for man.<\/p>\n
If we all accept the Abraham Lincoln\u2019s definition of democracy as\u00a0\u201cA government of the people, by the people, for the people\u201d.<\/p>\n
That is, a government that is to be upheld by all freedom loving people \u00a0and not just the selected few who hold a seat in the state. It is also a\u00a0government to be free of injustice that would violate the country’s laws
\nand by-standards\u201d.<\/p>\n
This\u00a0 is\u00a0 what\u00a0 is\u00a0 obtainable\u00a0 everywhere\u00a0 multi-culture and\u00a0multi-religious\u00a0 communities\u00a0 exist.\u00a0 Is Edo\u00a0 case\u00a0 different?\u00a0 Edo\u00a0 state\u00a0consists\u00a0 of\u00a0 majorly\u00a0 Muslims\u00a0 and\u00a0 Christians.\u00a0 The\u00a0 drivers\u00a0 of\u00a0government system suppose to be a careful collection of both faiths on the\u00a0basis of credibility and\u00a0 track\u00a0 records\u00a0 of\u00a0 productivity\u00a0 and\u00a0 not\u00a0 what\u00a0your administration\u00a0 is\u00a0 doing\u00a0 presently.\u00a0 We believe\u00a0 when\u00a0 fair
\nhearing\u00a0 is\u00a0 given\u00a0 to\u00a0 all\u00a0 side\u00a0 of\u00a0 the\u00a0 coin\u00a0 in\u00a0 the\u00a0 state,\u00a0 you
\nhave\u00a0 succeeded\u00a0 in winning the hearts of all sides. But when a system is
\ndriven by a selected few, injustice, racism, favoritism, extremism and
\nfundamentalism prevail. This, we do not want, hence this loud outcry.<\/p>\n
Besides,\u00a0 we\u00a0 want\u00a0 to\u00a0 place\u00a0 on\u00a0 record\u00a0 that\u00a0 Muslims\u00a0 in the\u00a0 state
\nare\u00a0 bulk\u00a0 of\u00a0 technocrats, intelligent,\u00a0 professionals\u00a0 in\u00a0 various
\nfields,\u00a0 responsible,\u00a0 dependable,\u00a0 industrious\u00a0 with\u00a0 high
\ndegree\u00a0 of\u00a0 integrity\u00a0 and\u00a0 excellent\u00a0 in\u00a0 characters\u00a0 and deeds.\u00a0 These
\ncalibers\u00a0 of\u00a0 personalities cannot be sectionalized and discriminated
\nagainst! Have a rethink now!
\n23rd
\nSep. 2015\u00a0 EMEGG\/OPL\/01\/15
\nInterestingly,\u00a0 this\u00a0 call\u00a0 is\u00a0 particularly\u00a0 on\u00a0 all\u00a0 aspects\u00a0 of
\nsocio-economic\u00a0 and\u00a0 political disequilibrium your government has pushed
\nus to. Undoubtedly, the Edo Muslims pay various taxes,\u00a0 contribute\u00a0 to
\nyour\u00a0 government\u00a0 in\u00a0 various\u00a0 forms,\u00a0 observe\u00a0 civic\u00a0 responsibilities
\nand
\nparticipate actively in the process of political cultivation, irrigating,
\nand fertilization but only to be\u00a0 neglected\u00a0 during\u00a0 harvest.\u00a0 This\u00a0 is
\nill-treatment, inequality,\u00a0 and\u00a0 disrespect\u00a0 to\u00a0 the\u00a0 entire\u00a0 Edo Muslims.
\nWe denounce this henceforth.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, you once said that your administration\u2019s appointment is not
\non the basis of religion adherent but on the basis of competence. Yes, we
\nagreed that competency must be observed. By your\u00a0 actions\u00a0 so\u00a0 far,\u00a0 you
\nare\u00a0 simply\u00a0 saying\u00a0 Edo\u00a0 Muslims\u00a0 are\u00a0 incompetent\u00a0 and\u00a0 cannot\u00a0 be
\nconsidered\u00a0 for\u00a0 appointment.\u00a0 We\u00a0 are\u00a0 making\u00a0 this\u00a0 call directly\u00a0 on
\nyou\u00a0 to\u00a0 prove\u00a0 this\u00a0 statement incorrect.<\/p>\n
Statistically,\u00a0 your\u00a0 current\u00a0 cabinet\u00a0 has\u00a0 you\u00a0 the\u00a0 Governor,\u00a0 Your
\nDeputy,\u00a0 SSG,\u00a0 Chief\u00a0 of\u00a0 Staff,Head\u00a0 of\u00a0 Service,\u00a0 Speaker\u00a0 of\u00a0 the\u00a0 Edo
\nState\u00a0 House\u00a0 of\u00a0 Assembly,\u00a0 Deputy\u00a0 Speaker\u00a0 and\u00a0 House Leader all of the
\nsame faith. Also, there are 24 members in Edo State House of Assembly only
\ntwo (2) are Muslims. Edo State has eighteen (18) Local Governments, only
\none (1) at present has Muslim Chairman. Among your numerous commissioners
\nonly one is a Muslim. There are more than\u00a0 thirty\u00a0 (30)\u00a0 Boards\u00a0 and
\nCommittees\u00a0 in\u00a0 Edo\u00a0 State with\u00a0 more\u00a0 than\u00a0 Seven\u00a0 Hundred\u00a0 (700)
\nmembers, is Your Excellency not aware that none of these boards and
\ncommittees has a Muslim Chairman except the Hajj Board and that the number
\nof Muslims as members to these Boards is 76 out of which 37 of them\u00a0 are
\nfrom the Hajj\u00a0 Board?Very\u00a0 recently, an attempt\u00a0 was\u00a0 made to appoint a
\nnon Muslim into Hajj Board!<\/p>\n
Similarly, you have also denied the Edo Muslim students their fundamental
\nrights to study their faith in the state own public schools through your
\noutright refusal to employ Islamic Religious Knowledge\u00a0 (IRK)\u00a0 teachers
\ninto\u00a0 public\u00a0 schools\u00a0 in\u00a0 the state.\u00a0 This\u00a0 is\u00a0 a\u00a0 contravention\u00a0 of
\ntheir fundamental human rights. We cannot accept this anymore.
\nEssentially, do not forget in a hurry that it was on the basis of religion
\nthat you were interested in the position of the Vice President of this
\ngreat nation. Do not also forget that Osibanjo emerged the\u00a0 Vice
\nPresident\u00a0 of\u00a0 Nigeria\u00a0 because\u00a0 of\u00a0 religion.\u00a0 Put\u00a0 all\u00a0 these\u00a0 facts\u00a0 on
\nimaginary\u00a0 scale\u00a0 of justice, fairness, equity and be the judge!<\/p>\n
Pathetically,\u00a0 we\u00a0 are\u00a0 aware\u00a0 of\u00a0 the\u00a0 role\u00a0 played\u00a0 by\u00a0 some
\nindividuals\u00a0 and\u00a0 loyalists\u00a0 to\u00a0 you\u00a0 in preventing the Muslims from
\nattaining various positions in the state. For example, the frustration
\nsuffered\u00a0 by\u00a0 Hon.\u00a0 Engr.\u00a0 Abubakar\u00a0 Momoh\u00a0 out\u00a0 of\u00a0 APC,\u00a0 the
\ndisappointment\u00a0 suffered\u00a0 by\u00a0 Hon. Barr.\u00a0 Lukman\u00a0 Muhammad,\u00a0 Alh.Inusa
\nImonofi,\u00a0 Alh,\u00a0 Barr.Iyamah\u00a0 Muhammad\u00a0 and\u00a0 the\u00a0 host\u00a0 of
\nothers from attaining their political dreams and most recently the
\nsabotage of the efforts of Hon. Kabiru Adjoto by denying him the position
\nhe is politically qualified for in the Edo State House of Assembly. This
\nis unhealthy for our democracy.<\/p>\n
To\u00a0 this\u00a0 end,\u00a0 we\u00a0 have\u00a0 long\u00a0 been\u00a0 watching\u00a0 and\u00a0 following\u00a0 your
\nill-treatments\u00a0 towards\u00a0 the\u00a0 Edo Muslims in the state, now it is time to
\nonce again break our silence and cry out loud. A Muslim is simply a
\nservant of Almighty Allah, who align his or her steps to the Will of the
\nSupreme Being, tolerate other systems and care for all creatures in line
\nwith Allah\u2019s Will. Is this now a crime or stigma\u00a0 to\u00a0 be\u00a0 discriminated
\nagainst\u00a0 in\u00a0 Edo\u00a0 State?\u00a0 We\u00a0 ask\u00a0 this\u00a0 question\u00a0 because\u00a0 your
\nadministration has been very unfair to us since youassume duty as
\nGovernor.<\/p>\n
Conclusively, we therefore, demand as follows:
\n1.\u00a0 Following\u00a0 your\u00a0 recent\u00a0 sack\u00a0 of\u00a0 four\u00a0 commissioners\u00a0 from\u00a0 your
\ncabinet,\u00a0 the\u00a0 Edo Muslims\u00a0 once\u00a0 again\u00a0 demand\u00a0 for\u00a0 at\u00a0 least\u00a0 40%\u00a0 of
\nthe\u00a0 total\u00a0 position\u00a0 to\u00a0 be\u00a0 Muslims, without compromising merit.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 2016 Edo Pool: As the Edo State 2016 Gubernatorial\u00a0 Election draws
\nnear, the Edo Muslims have reached a conclusion that we will only
\nmobilize, finance and vote for any party that is ready to see the Muslims
\nas stakeholders and partners in progress in Edo State, in that the party:
\ni.\u00a0 Should agree on joint Christian\/Muslim ticket.
\nii.\u00a0 Should\u00a0 agree\u00a0 on\u00a0 40%\u00a0 appointment\u00a0 for\u00a0 the\u00a0 Muslims
\n(Commissioners, Boards, Committees, etc).<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0 We also demand that you urgently direct the Ministry of Education to
\nemploy Islamic Religious Studies Teachers to teach Islamic Studiesto
\nMuslims children in the state public schools.<\/p>\n
All Edo Muslims are united in this call. We will never give up until our
\ndemands are met. We have equally resolved to pursue this cause
\ncourageously, lovely and peacefully.<\/p>\n
Thanks and accept our warm esteem.
\nSigned:
\nSirajudeen Muhammed,
\nCo-ordinator General<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Muslims in Edo State have accused Governor Adams Oshiomhole of\u00a0marginalization, saying it has resolved to vote in future elections any\u00a0political party that sees Edo Muslims as stakeholders. In an open…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20305,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n