Ondo Muslims decry marginalisation, demand inclusive governance

The At-Tanzil Islamic Foundation has voiced its concerns over what it calls the marginalisation of Muslims in political and public roles within Ondo State. The foundation's chairman, Abdul Ajiboye, made the remarks during a press conference marking the organisation's 20th anniversary. He highlighted that Muslims make up a substantial portion of the state's population, yet they are underrepresented in key government positions.

Currently, the state's leadership consists of a Christian governor, a Christian deputy governor, a Christian Secretary to the State Government, and a Christian Speaker of the House, despite Muslims being the majority. Ajiboye emphasized that this situation is unjust and unfair to the Muslim community, which has consistently supported the state's governments.

He pointed out the absence of a Muslim in the judiciary and criticized the state's failure to accommodate qualified Muslim candidates in important appointments, citing an example of a top-performing Muslim candidate for high court judges who was overlooked. The foundation calls for a more balanced and inclusive approach in the governance of Ondo State, advocating for Muslims to share leadership roles equally with their Christian counterparts.

Reflecting on the foundation's achievements over the past two decades, Ajiboye noted that the organisation has worked to support vulnerable individuals and promote community development across the state, providing training programs and humanitarian assistance to thousands of people.