ABEOKUTA – The Society of Ideal Muslims (SIM) has demanded that a qualified and practicing Muslim be presented as the governor of Ogun State in 2027, citing fair representation and democratic balance.
In a press conference held in Abeokuta, the Spokesperson for the group, Abdur-Rafiu Kola Olatunbosun Esq., said the demand was based on the group’s belief that Muslims have been under-represented in the state’s leadership despite their demographic strength and contributions.
Olatunbosun noted that since the return to democratic rule in 1999, Ogun State has produced four governors, with three Christians and one Muslim, and that it is time for a Muslim to take the helm.
He emphasized that the demand was not a call for religious dominance, but rather a call for inclusive justice and fair representation.
The group also recalled that in 2019, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) opposed the bid of the then-governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to support a Muslim successor, which was seen as a factor in his eventual withdrawal.
SIM is calling on political parties, stakeholders, and decision-makers to support a credible Muslim candidate in the 2027 governorship election.
The group remarked that a “qualified and practicing Muslim” as a candidate who is competent, experienced, with proven integrity, God-fearing, and committed to serving all citizens, regardless of religious affiliations.
“The Society of Ideal Muslims (SIM) is a faith-based, non-partisan civic organization committed to ethical leadership, justice, peaceful coexistence, and constructive participation in democratic governance in Ogun State and Nigeria at large.
“Our intervention is not borne out of ill-feeling towards any religion; it is a legitimate democratic contribution to discussion about succession and fair representation.
“History clearly shows that leadership has alternated, yet the Muslim community, despite its demographic strength and contributions remains under-represented in continuity and opportunity.
“It is a matter in public record that in the build-up to the 2019 governorship election, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ogun State chapter, vehemently opposed the bid of the former Governor, His Excellency ,Senator Ibikunle Ikleel Amosun, to support a Muslim successor.
“That opposition significantly shaped political decisions at the time, and the governor eventually withdrew from insisting on a Muslim successor; a development widely perceived as political retreat under religious pressure.
“This precedent is important, not to inflame tensions, but to underscore the imbalance and inconsistency in how leadership succession has been approached in Ogun State.
“The Society of Ideal Muslims (SIM) therefore respectfully but firmly demands that: a qualified and practicing muslim should be presented and supported as Governor of Ogun State in 2027.
“All stakeholders in the Ruling party,as a matter of fact, support the Candidature of Muslim.
“This demand is based on fair representation, equity and
democratic balance,
peaceful coexistence. Let it be clearly stated and understood that this is not a call for religious domination, not hostility toward Christians and this is not a rejection of merit. Rather, it is a call for inclusive justice, where qualification and faith identity coexist, and where no major group feels perpetually sidelined or marginalised.
“By “a Qualified and Practicing Muslim,” we mean a candidate who is: competent, experienced,
with proven integrity, God-fearing and committed to serving all citizens, regardless of religious affiliations.
“We call on political parties and their leadership, party delegates, decision-makers, Traditional Rulers, community leaders and Civil society organizations to consciously promote justice and fairness by supporting the emergence of a credible Muslim candidate in the 2027 governorship election as this shall not only gladden our hearts but motivates Muslims to enthusiastically come out to massively vote Party whose Candidate meet our requirements also.”
