By Segun Olatunji
The flurry of multiple interventions and demands by Muslim groups in Ogun State for a governor of the Islamic faith in 2027, this past week, did not come as a surprise. The Muslims, just like the people of other faiths, have the right to agitate to occupy the number one political office in Ogun State. They’re part and parcel of the Ogun State environment and marginalising them or any other group in any form is both anti-democratic and anti-development.
Of course, this is the time for politicking and all sorts of interests see this period as an opportunity to agitate for one political position and the other. Infact, deliberate marginalisation of the Muslims and any other religious group in the state from occupying the governorship seat should be frowned upon. It’s an anomaly that shouldn’t be allowed.
However, the accelerated simultaneity of the Muslim groups’ agitations and the manner some of those championing this cause have been going about it, even to the extent of identifying with some interested politicians as preferred candidates, not only betray the soul of their actions. It also leaves in its trails traces of promptings by these politicians seeking to exploit and capitalise on religion to achieve their selfish political ambition. While some of the agitations are genuine and sincere, others are borne out of sheer political shenanigans targeted at political rivals for the coveted seat of the governor of Ogun State. Politicians wearing the cloak and toga of religion are, therefore, simply plotting to seize the governorship of the state through the backdoor, using religious sentiments.
But the pertinent questions here are: have the Muslims in Ogun State truly been marginalised politically? Or, rather, has any Muslim, at any point in time, been stopped from seeking to be elected as the governor of Ogun State? Did Muslims not contest on the platforms of other political parties in the state during past elections, aside from the ruling party, for the governorship seat? Is religion part of the criteria considered during party primaries for electing governorship candidates? These questions are urgently begging for answers from the various agitating groups and individuals.
The fact is that, in 2027 and any other period beyond, allowing religion as a factor in choosing a governor for the state is akin to threading a dangerous path, a macabre dance on the edge of a precipice.
A mix of religion and politics cannot work in midwifing any iota of development in our socio-political environment in Ogun State, given the fact that there’s no family in the state without the adherents of both Islamic and Christian faiths, and even traditional worshippers, as members. So, there’s nothing like the preponderance or dominance of the adherents of a particular religion in any part of the state; strong enough to guarantee the election of a governor of their own faith based on their exclusive votes.
It is pertinent to ask at this juncture if the decades-long marginalisation of a whole section of the state, Ogun West Senatorial District, an unfortunate political development widely acknowledged by every section of the state, and even the entire country, not more salient at this point than this parochial religious sentiment being pushed by some politicians in hiding for their own selfish interests? Are the people of Ogun West agitating to produce the next governor of Ogun State not made up of a mix of Muslims and Christians?
Now, our focus in Ogun State should be very strong advocacy for a secular political environment which underscores competence and unity over and above any form of religious sentiment. We must continue to pursue strong actions that will decouple religion from politics in the state.
Upholding the principles of secular governance and meritocracy should be our watchword in Ogun State, as we inch towards 2027.
Our agitations should rather be for a secular and unified Ogun State. Being known to be a hub of religious harmony and tolerance, Ogun State citizens must strive to maintain this stability. The state’s political processes must remain strictly secular, as mandated by the Nigerian Constitution, which prohibits any state of the federation from adopting a state religion. Our loyalty as good people of Ogun State must be, first to the collective progress and well-being of all citizens, regardless of their faith or belief.
At this point, we must place our priority on competence over any form of sentiment, including religion.
As we all know, governance is a matter of administrative capacity, integrity and vision, rather than religious affiliation. We must, therefore, resist attempts to exploit religious sentiments for political gains, as this often leads to divisive tactics in which faith is used as a tool to manipulate and distract us from pressing community concerns like economic hardship and infrastructure.
Giving room to religious sentiments will also result in skewed governance under which religious considerations are given priority with the resultant negative effect of undermining the selection of the most qualified candidates for public office.
Development will also definitely be hindered when religious bias influences public sector management and this will, in turn, negatively affect the efficiency and fairness of governance.
As it has always been the situation in our dear Ogun State, we can continue to preserve religious freedom without any form of political interference.
It is one’s well-considered opinion that while the state continues to uphold the right of every individual to practise their faith privately, this freedom of religion must not, in any way, translate into the religious capture of state institutions.
Governments at all levels in Nigeria have consistently made it crystal clear that in our society, unauthorised religious courts have no legal standing; they have ensured that the rule of law remains supreme over religious fiat.
However, collaborative partnership cannot be ruled out because, naturally, religion should serve as a partner in social development —such as through education via establishment of missionary schools —rather than a criterion for leadership.
Therefore, as we look forward to the 2027 general elections, we urge all stakeholders in our dear Ogun State to eschew religious bias by rejecting this “religious opium” selfish politicians are now trying hard to force down our throats. Our focus should rather be on candidates’ pedigree and past records of delivery and achievements.
Our demand for inclusivity should be to ensure that political leadership remains a platform for service and unity, not a means to justify religious discrimination or exclusion.
We should all also promote inter-religious dialogue by using our diversity as a strength to address the multifarious challenges confronting the state, rather than as a source of conflict.
The task before every citizen of Ogun State is building a society where all citizens are treated with dignity and respect based on their contributions to the well-being of the Gateway State. The state’s development and progress depend so much on the ability of Ogun State citizens to accord priority to capacity and credibility over religious identity.
Omo Ogun, ise ya!
. Olatunji, a Journalist, Political/Crisis Communication Strategist, writes from Ilaro, Ogun State
