The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has advised political parties to avoid picking the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, as their presidential candidate.
The group accused Makinde of targeting Muslim places of worship for demolition, conversion into fun grounds and naming them after himself.
The Executive Director of the Islamic human rights organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola said the alleged sins of Makinde against Muslims of Oyo State in particular and Nigerian Muslims in general, are many.
“Political activities have started again as the 2027 general elections approach. Interested candidates for various positions have started identifying themselves while support groups are springing up.
“However, we note with deep concern that one of these support groups has solicited for the nomination of the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, as the presidential candidate of a major opposition party in the 2027 presidential poll.
“Olore Central Mosque came under demolition threat. He seized the only praying ground used by Muslims in Bodija (Bodija Muslim Praying Ground) and turned it into a recreation centre .
“Under Makinde’s watch, Muslim children in schools were forced to attend Christian evangelical revivals addressed by foreign pastors. Muslim students were forced to sing Christmas Carol,.
“Makinde removed his deputy governor, Rauf Olaniyan, who was a committed Muslim because he saw the latter as a threat to his Christianisation agenda in the state. He also pursued a deliberate policy of replacing Muslim traditional rulers with Christians by rejecting Muslim nominees in Oyo, Ogbomosho, etc.
“This governor appointed six chairmen of governing boards but only one of them is a Muslim. He appointed 34 board members, but only 15 are Muslims. He also appointed 10 Christians as commissioners and gave Muslims 6 .