By Ikugbadi Segun
A Lagos based campaign organisation named after Kazeem Olasunkanmi Shittu
In Surulere federal constituency has cautioned a coalition of muslim groups under the aides of Joint Muslim Forum demanding for reversal of Sanwo-Olu Cabinet Nominees over what ot termed lopsidedness of appointment.
According a statement signed by Kazeem Olasunkanmi Shittu, Coordinator of the group titled Re:Joint Muslim Forum Demand Immediate Reversal of Sanwo-Olu Cabinet NOMINEES said the call is not only distracting but capable of fuming religious battles.
The Coordinator explained that; “It has come to our notice that the above named forum is demanding for the reversal of the Governor’s nominees that has already been sent to the State House Of Assembly in which the Speaker of the House has directed the relevant Ad-hoc committee to begin screening. It is pertinent to state this is not only shocking. It is alarming, distracting and a total disregard to the office of the Executive Governor who has the exclusive right to nominate those he feels can compliment his efforts in moving the State forward as enshrined in 1999 constitution which the Governor swore an oat to.”
“We are stating categorically that Lagos State as a friendly State should and must not be subjected to religious battles and unnecessary competitions. What is most paramount at this particular time is the capacity, capability and competence of the nominees, not this unwarranted and unholy demand”,said the group.
The statement read further that : “We are begging our Muslim faithfuls which is also my constituent as I am a practicing Muslim born & bred by Muslim parents to allow the relative PEACE that Lagos State is enjoying to continue to reign as the original owner of the Land are neither Muslims nor Christians but Traditional practitioners and non of them have come forward to complain or disagree with the names of the nominees as submitted by His Excellency Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu. It is on this premise that we are appealing to Muslim faithfuls to sheath their swords and not allow their emotions to assail their psyche.
In retrospect, we have had more than enough muslim Commissioners than Christians since the return to democracy in 1999 and there has never been any protect from the other religions. This goes with the saying that this negative energy is being fuelled either by stack ignorance or bitter mischief. And the fact remains that frustration never befriends fortune.
Shittu explained that now is the time to support Governor Sanwo-olu and his team so that they can take the State to the next level by working with competent hands in order to fulfil their campaign promises and not through religion sentiment.
It would be recalled that a coalition of Muslim groups, under the auspices of the Joint Muslims Forum (JMF), has expressed their grievances towards the insensitiveness of Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor to Muslim community in the state.
The groups alleged that Sanwo-Olu was insensitive towards the plight of Muslims who, according to them, constitute over 60 per cent of not just the state’s population but also its voting public.