ABEOKUTA – The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN) has called for a significant political reset in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 governorship election, urging stakeholders to ensure equity and fair representation in the state’s highest political office.
Speaking at a press conference held in Ijebu-Ode on Friday, the Council expressed concern over what it described as the prolonged marginalization of Muslims in the governorship position.
The group warned that the perceived imbalance must be urgently addressed to foster justice and inclusiveness.
The Ogun State Chairman of the Council, Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Folajuwon Mayaleeke, who led a delegation of prominent Islamic scholars, stated that the 2027 election represents a defining moment for fairness and unity in the state.
According to the Council, since the creation of Ogun State, Christian leaders would have occupied the governorship for a cumulative period of 26 years by 2027, compared to just eight years by Muslim leaders.
The Council described this disparity as “deeply troubling.”
“This is not a minor discrepancy but a prolonged imbalance,” the Council said, emphasizing that such a pattern could weaken public trust in governance and threaten social cohesion.
The Council’s official position, read by Ameer Shereef Afolalola Mayaleeke, stressed that the demand for equity is based on verifiable facts and a commitment to fairness, rather than sentiment or political bias.
“We are not projecting any candidate,” the Council clarified. “Our advocacy is for a political system that promotes justice, equity, and inclusiveness across ethnic and religious divides.”
The clerics maintained that continued imbalance in political representation could erode public confidence and heighten concerns about systemic exclusion if not deliberately addressed.
In a statement co-signed by Chairman Sheikh Abdur Rasheed Mayaleeke and Secretary Alhaji Afolabi Zubair, political parties were urged to demonstrate sincerity by ensuring that their nomination processes reflect fairness across religious lines.
They cautioned that failure to address the issue would be interpreted as a continuation of exclusionary politics in the state.
While reaffirming their commitment to peaceful engagement and dialogue, the Council emphasized that the time for action is now, warning that delayed justice in representation could have far-reaching consequences for unity and stability in Ogun State.
