Osun 2026: Muslim Stakeholders, League of Alfas Decry Christians’ Demands for Christian Gov in Osun

•Says it’s display of greed, religious bias

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
 

Concerned Muslim Stakeholders and the League of Alfas in Osun state has decried calls by some leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Osun State, demanding that the next governor of Osun in 2026 must be a Christian as deeply worrisome.

Speaking yesterday, the spokespersons of the group, Sheikh Qozeem AbdurRahamon  and Mallam Abdulganiy Sahid Olaide Ezra, Secretary General, noted   the calls represent a display of greed, religious bias, and a clear attempt to hoodwink the good people of Osun State.

According to them, “to remind Christian, the history of Osun State when it was created out of the old Oyo State on the 27th of August, 1991, by then military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, the first military administrator was Colonel Akaleh, a Christian. He was succeeded by Colonel Segun Leo Ajiborisa, also a Christian.”

They remarked that “after him came Navy Captain Anthony Udofia, another Christian. Udofia handed over to Colonel Anthony Obi, and after him came Colonel Theophilus Bamigboye again, a Christian.”

They further reaffirmed that “from the time Osun State was created, all its six military administrators, one after the other, were Christians.”

“If we go further back to the old Oyo State from which Osun was created, we will recall that both civilian governors of the old Oyo State, Chief Bola Ige from Esa Oke and Chief Omololu Olunloyo from Ibadan were Christians.

“Chief Bola Ige even ran a Christian-Christian ticket with his deputy, the late Chief Samuel Afolabi Dayiojenu. After him came Chief Omololu Olunloyo, also a Christian.

“He was succeeded by Colonel Oladayo Popoola, another Christian. Then came Colonel Sasaenia Oresanya, also a Christian. It was only after Oresanya that a Muslim, Colonel Abdulkareem Adisa, served briefly as military administrator for just two years in Oyo State.

“So, between Oyo and Osun, our Christian brothers have conveniently ruled for a total of 19 years, while Muslims had only 2 years in leadership. It is therefore not surprising that both Oyo and Osun States have a civil service workforce that is about 75 to 80 percent Christian.

“Under those administrations, many Muslim citizens were systematically marginalised. Muslims were rarely recruited into the civil service, and when they were, it was mostly as drivers, cleaners, gardeners, or messengers.

“It was not until the late 1990s that some qualified Muslims, through patience and perseverance began to find their way into the system, often having to present intimidating qualifications to avoid being pushed aside.

“Only a few of them eventually rose to the positions of Directors or Permanent Secretaries, and many of them are now retiring.

“The late Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, of blessed memory, came to Osun State as a Christian but, of his own volition, embraced Islam the religion of his biological father.

“Because Ede, his hometown, is predominantly Muslim, he identified with the faith and served as governor for about 18 months before the military overthrow their government in 1994.

“Yet, today, some CAN and PFN leaders, led by one Ayodele Owoofe and Pastor Seun Adeoye, are shamelessly alleging that Christians are being marginalised in Osun State. That claim is false, provocative, and an insult to the peace-loving people of this State.

“They said that from the record purposes, let it be known that Osun has had a Christian-Christian ticket before. The governor, the deputy governor, the chief of staff, and the head of service were all Christians this is not too far just 2003 to 2010. Yet, the Muslim community did not raise an alarm.”

The speakers stressed that Osun Muslims have been the most tolerant religious community in Nigeria, and nobody should take that for weakness.

Even the current administration in Osun is more or less a Christian-Christian arrangement.

They noted that, “The governor himself who once bore a Muslim name no longer identifies with that name in his recent party certificate. The deputy governor is a known Christian, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly is a Christian, and the Head of Service is a Christian. Yet, our Muslims have kept quiet in the spirit of peace and fairness.

“Is it not ironic that in a state with over 70 percent Muslim population, no Muslim has ever served as Head of Service or Chief Judge in 35 years? And yet we are told that Christians are being marginalised? What kind of marginalization are they talking about?

“Our Christian brothers have enjoyed the privileges of governance and employment for decades, while Muslims endured subjugation with patience and goodwill. To now demand a Christian governor in 2026 is not only unjust but also a deliberate act to manipulate public sentiment.”

They called on all political parties in Osun State and at the national level not to fall for this divisive, sentimental, and parochial agitation.

They emphasized: “Let us look around the Southwest. In Ekiti and Ondo States, both the governors and their deputies are Christians, yet Muslims there have never protested or threatened anyone.

“In Kwara State, a Muslim-majority state, Christians have also enjoyed fair opportunities, including serving as governor at one time, because Muslims there, value harmony and fairness.

“Today, in the entire Southern Nigeria that is, 17 states there is no single Muslim governor. Meanwhile, in the North, there are about four Christian governors among the 19 states.

“Despite larger percentage and domination strength of Muslims population in the North, yet’ they tolerate Christians to be governor while the south and South East including Ondo and Ekiti have always presenting Christian-Christian tickets, yet’ no Muslim organisation have raised an alarm.

“Osun Muslims have shown political maturity, patience, and tolerance beyond measure. But let no one take this for granted. In 2026, by the will of Allah Almighty, it is the turn of a competent and capable Muslim to govern Osun State in 2026 Bi QudirotiLahi Ta’Allah. “

They therefore urged all stakeholders, especially political parties, to disregard the fake narrative of marginalization being pushed by Pastor Owoofe leading Osun youth CAN and Pastor Seun Adeoye leading PFN leaders in Osun State.

 “Osun belongs to all of us, and our unity must not be sacrificed for selfish ambition or religious manipulation.”