Osun 2026: Our Unity Must Not Be Sacrificed for Selfish Religious Manipulation – Muslim Leaders Warn

The Concerned Muslim Stakeholders and the League of Alfas, in Osun State have warned all stakeholders and political parties to disregard the fake narrative of marginalisation of Christians in the state.

The Muslim leaders described the recent calls by some leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) that the next governor of the state in 2026 must be a Christian as “divisive, unfair, and a deliberate attempt to manipulate public opinion along religious lines.”

Speaking at a press conference held in Osogbo on Wednesday, the President-General of the group, Sheikh Qozeem AbdurRahamon, said the such agitation could threaten the long-standing religious harmony in the state.

AbdurRahamon called on all political parties in the State and the national level not to fall for this divisive and sentimental agitation.

He said that the current administration in Osun is more or less a Christian-Christian arrangement.

He warned people behind the campaign know very well that their preferred candidates are not popular within their parties or among the general public.

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

“All six military administrators who governed Osun were Christians, while both civilian governors of the old Oyo State—Chief Bola Ige and Chief Omololu Olunloyo—were also Christians. They noted that Muslims only held leadership positions briefly, through Colonel Abdulkareem Adisa, who served for about two years as military administrator of the old Oyo State.

“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.

“For 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. 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. 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 marginalisation 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.

“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, yet’ no Muslim organisation have raised an alarm. That is what tolerance looks like from Muslims but CAN the CAN tolerate same in Southern Nigeria if pendulum of power swung to Muslim side today or tomorrow? Only time will tell In Shaa Allah.” He said.