2027 Election: Oyo Needs Performance, Not Religious Politics ||▪︎ By Dr Peter Akande 

By Dr Peter Akande

The reported statement by Hon. Ibrahim Shittu, urging Muslims not to vote for a Christian governorship candidate in 2027 because Christians in government allegedly “punish” Muslims, raises an important question: Is religion really the right measure for determining who should govern Oyo State? The statement has been reported as part of the emerging 2027 political debate in the state.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the argument is that Christians in government have historically treated Muslims unfairly, then the record of the present administration deserves to be examined.

 

Governor Seyi Makinde is a Christian, yet his administration has publicly maintained that Muslims, Christians and traditional worshippers should receive equal treatment. The state government has also documented a deliberate balance in political appointments, including Muslim commissioners and a Muslim Chief of Staff alongside a Christian Secretary to the State Government.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indeed, if one considers the documented relationship between the Makinde administration and the Muslim community, it is difficult to sustain a blanket claim that Muslims are being marginalised simply because the governor is a Christian. The administration has supported Muslim religious activities, including the state’s Hajj programme, and Makinde has repeatedly said that religion should not divide Oyo State.

 

For those of us who have followed governance in Oyo State, there is therefore a strong basis to argue that Governor Seyi Makinde has demonstrated an exceptionally broad approach to governance across religious lines, and that many Muslims in the state have benefited from his administration just as Christians have. Whether one considers his administration better than previous administrations is ultimately a matter for citizens to assess from the evidence and their own priorities; however, the record does not support the idea that being a Christian automatically means being hostile to Muslims.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The real question for 2027 should therefore be simple: What has the candidate done for Oyo people, and what does the candidate intend to do?

 

A candidate’s religion can be known, but religion should not replace scrutiny of competence, integrity, experience, policies and record in public service.

 

Oyo State has always been a home to Muslims and Christians living together. Many families have members belonging to both faiths. Political differences should not be allowed to destroy the social harmony that generations of Oyo people have built.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If there are specific policies or actions that allegedly disadvantaged Muslims, let them be identified and subjected to public examination. But saying that Muslims should reject every Christian candidate simply because of his or her religion does not address the actual performance of individual candidates.

 

Oyo people deserve an election based on records, programmes and capacity—not a contest between Muslims and Christians.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let every candidate come forward. Let every political party present its record and manifesto. Let Muslims examine the candidates. Let Christians examine them. Let traditional worshippers examine them. And let every citizen make his or her political decision freely.

 

After the 2027 election, we will all still be Muslims and Christians living together in the same Oyo State.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Religion should unite Oyo; it should never become a weapon for political division.