A Christian group, Christian Rights Nigeria has warned the Lagos State Assembly against stoking religious tension in the state due to its rejection of several commissioner nominees sent to it by the governor of the state, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu.
In a statement on Thursday, August 24, signed by its National Lead, Pastor Eliashab James the group said it has “watched in utter amazement the unfolding drama at the Lagos State where the assembly is being egged on by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) of one prof. Ishaq Akintola” in its rejection of some commissioner nominees in the state.
MURIC according to media reports had staged protests urging the assembly not to allow Christians to dominate the list of commissioners nominated by the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu.
Read also: Why we are supporting Sanwoolu, Lagos PFN: https://churchtimesnigeria.net/why-we-are-supporting-sanwoolus-second-term-bid-lagos-pfn/
The assembly had acted following the request of the group by turning down some of the Christians nominated by the governor including the former commissioner for health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, and former commissioner for information, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho citing
The lawmakers, however, confirmed 22 other commissioner nominees of the governor. However, the Christian group stated that heeding the pressure of MURIC by the assembly is “pure religious blackmail” while also adding that there are more Muslims in the government of Lagos than Christians.
It noted that the State House of Assembly has more Muslims than Christians. It outlined the list of members of the assembly which clearly shows that Muslims are dominant. The group also noted that there are more Muslims among the 57 local government Chairmen in the state, while “all the three Senators in Lagos state are Muslims”
The Christian group said despite the overwhelming population of Muslims in the Lagos government, the Christians have not raised any dust wondering why the assembly is trying to cause tension in the state. by “rejecting many Commissioner nominees on religious grounds, deceptively couched for the public as insufficient Documentation”
The group said further “For a political party that has a Muslim/Muslim ticket and recently appointed new Chairman and Secretary who are both Muslims, reeks of outlandish hypocrisy.”
It then cautioned the Lagos State House of Assembly to stop what it described as “dangerous religious politics” for the sake of peace and progress of the State.