Osun 2026: ‘It’s The Turn Of A Competent Muslim’ – Osun Muslim Stakeholders

-Condemn Call For Christian Governor In 2026

By Adedamola Odeyemi Osogbo

The Concerned Muslim Stakeholders and the League of Alfas in Osun State have declared that it is the turn of a competent and capable Muslim to govern the state in 2026, urging political parties to uphold equity, fairness, and religious balance in the forthcoming election.

Speaking at a press conference held on Wednesday, the groups described as worrisome the recent calls by some leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) demanding that the next governor of Osun must be a Christian.

They said such agitations were divisive and capable of threatening the peaceful coexistence the state had enjoyed over the years.

The President-General of the League of Alfas, Sheikh Qozeem AbdurRahamon, and the Secretary-General, Mallam Abdulganiy Sahid Olaide Ezra, who jointly signed the statement, noted that Christians had dominated political leadership positions in Osun since its creation. They argued that Muslims had shown exceptional patience and tolerance despite being the majority in the state.

According to the stakeholders, Osun State, since its creation in 1991, has had a long list of Christian administrators and governors, with little or no Muslim representation at the highest levels of government.

They claimed that during those administrations, qualified Muslims were often marginalised in employment and leadership appointments.

The group maintained that while Muslims have supported Christian leaders in the past without complaint, it would only be fair for political parties to allow a competent Muslim to lead in the spirit of equity.

“In a state where Muslims constitute more than 70 percent of the population, fairness demands that a capable Muslim should be given the chance to govern in 2026,” the statement read.

They dismissed as false and misleading the allegations of marginalisation made by some Christian leaders in the state, describing them as attempts to manipulate public sentiment ahead of the next election. The Muslim leaders said Osun Muslims have always demonstrated tolerance and peaceful coexistence, unlike what is seen in some other parts of the country.

Citing examples from other Southwestern states, the group pointed out that in Ekiti and Ondo, both governors and their deputies are Christians, yet Muslims there have never protested or raised alarms. They added that in Northern Nigeria, several Christians have served as governors in Muslim-majority states without controversy, which they said reflects true religious tolerance.

The stakeholders therefore appealed to all political parties in Osun and at the national level to resist the temptation of religious manipulation and divisive politics.

They insisted that the 2026 governorship race should be based on competence, capacity, and fairness, and reaffirmed their belief that Osun Muslims would remain peaceful but resolute in pursuing justice through democratic means.

“Any attempt to do otherwise to deny Muslims their fair turn will attract strong political mobilisation across Osun State against such injustice from any party who dare the political resolve of peace loving people of Osun State,” the statement read.