The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed a disproportionate number of Yorubas and Christians to significant positions.
According to Prof Ishaq Akintola, the Executive Director of MURIC, the appointments made by President Tinubu have a noticeable bias towards Yorubas and Christians.
Akintola said this in a statement on Monday, September 18, 2023.
“We are shocked to our marrows that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been appointing Christians and Yorubas mainly to key positions since the inception of this administration at the expense of Muslims. For instance, five out of eight security chiefs appointed earlier are Christians. Ministerial posts have not been different.
“All five key appointments made by President Tinubu to revive the economy were given to Christians and Yorubas mainly. These new appointees include the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, the newly nominated CBN Governor, Dr. Michael Cardoso, Hon. Zacch Adedeji, Acting Chairman, FIRS, the Chairman, Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele and Mr. Tope Fasua, Special Adviser on Economic Affairs.
“Many competent Muslims who campaigned and voted Muslim-Muslim ticket during the presidential election were ignored. It is interesting to note that some of those Muslims are eminently qualified to hold key political offices since there are professors, engineers, medical doctors and holders of doctorate degrees among them,” the statement reads in part.
In what appears to be a reference to Nasir El-Rufai’s nomination for a ministerial position, Akintola remarked that one of the most capable Muslim ministerial nominees, who had actively backed Tinubu’s presidential candidacy and rallied the entire northern region to vote for him, was ultimately overlooked.
“Also, Prof Ali Isa Pantami who took the communication and digital economy to enviable heights during the last administration was ignored. Where, then, is our Muslim president, taking Nigerian Muslims?” he asked.
He dismissed the notion that the appointments of Tinubu’s appointees were based on their competence.
He said that when giving jobs in politics, it shouldn’t favor one tribe, religion, or group too much. He also said the current government should be careful not to be accused of favoring their friends and family in job appointments, which happened to Muhammadu Buhari.
