MURIC URGES TINUBU TO ADDRESS MUSLIM MARGINALISATION IN NEXT CABINET RESHUFFLING
By: Sefiu Ajape
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to correct what it described as the marginalisation of Nigerian Muslims in political appointments during any future cabinet reshuffling.
The Islamic human rights group made the appeal in a statement issued on Saturday, October 4, 2025, by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
“It is not unusual for cabinets to be reshuffled midway into an administration’s tenure or after an historical or significant event. In this context, it will be in character if the Tinubu administration decides to reshuffle its cabinet after Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary,” Akintola stated.
He noted that Nigerian Muslims have repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with what they see as unequal political representation compared to Christians in the current administration.
“It is an open secret that Nigerian Muslims have complained severally about the lopsidedness of political appointments in the present dispensation vis a vis political posts given to Nigerian Christians,” he said.
Akintola recalled that several Muslim organisations, including the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN), the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), and the Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria, had raised similar concerns.
He cited reports quoting presidential aide Bayo Onanuga as saying that 62% of Tinubu’s appointees were Christians, noting that even Christian leaders had publicly acknowledged that “the Tinubu administration favoured the body of Christ.”
“It is therefore too glaring and undeniable that Nigerian Muslims, particularly those in the South West, have been at the receiving end of political marginalization under the Tinubu administration,” Akintola said.
He emphasised that MURIC’s position was not driven by hostility or political bias but by a desire for fairness and inclusion.
“Good governance demands that such a massive but voiceless group deserves attention while their grudges require Aso Rock’s action. The Ummah is our constituency and we have a duty to bring feelers from there to the attention of those in positions of authority,” he stated.
“As we draw the curtain on this conversation, MURIC appeals to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to raise the banners of justice, fairness and equity in political appointments if and when he contemplates reshuffling his cabinet. Inclusivity is key in selections. Muslims have skilled men and women in all sectors for those who care to look in their direction,” Akintola added.
