The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), a faith-based rights advocacy group, has urged political parties in South Western Nigeria to field Muslim candidates for the 2027 gubernatorial elections.
In a statement signed on Monday by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC highlighted what it described as a religious imbalance in the region’s governance over the past six years.
According to the group, all six governors in South Western states have been Christians during this period, leading to a perceived disconnect between state governments and the Muslim populace.
The statement noted that this trend has resulted in the exclusion of Muslims from executive and administrative positions, undermining participation and inclusivity in governance.
“There can be no genuine democratic practice where a large section of the population is excluded from participating,” MURIC said.
Professor Akintola explained that, with the exception of Osun and Ekiti, gubernatorial elections will hold in all South Western states in 2027. He added that the Ekiti and Osun elections are scheduled for July 2026 and August 2026, respectively.
MURIC advised political parties to prioritise Muslim candidates in their selection processes, arguing that it would ensure greater representation and help secure Muslim votes in the upcoming elections.
The group framed its recommendation as both a call for equitable governance and a strategy to strengthen democratic practice by including a significant section of the population that has been underrepresented.
