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The Ogun State chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern has warned political parties against fielding a Christian-Christian governorship ticket in the state ahead of the 2027 elections, describing the idea as a “historic political miscalculation”.
The group said any political party attempting such a deal will face strong resistance from voters and risk long-term political consequences in the state.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Chairman of MURIC in Ogun State, Tajudeen Jimoh Alao, and made available to journalists by the organisation’s Secretary, Olaleye Rasheed Damilare, the group said a Christian-Christian ticket for the governorship race in Ogun State would be “dead on arrival”.
According to the group, political consultations and alignments ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election have already begun within the state’s major political parties.
MURIC, however, said it was alerted to alleged discussions within a major political party over the emergence of a Christian governor paired with a Christian deputy governor.
The organization described the move as a continuation of what it calls the marginalization of Muslims in the state’s political structure.
“We are not surprised by this development.
Muslims in Ogun State have often been treated as second-class participants in the political structure of the State,” the statement read.
The group warned that such a political arrangement would send a dangerous signal, suggesting that Muslims do not matter in the state’s political equation.
“If such thinking persists, the next logical step would be to formally declare the state a Christian state,” he added.
MURIC also criticized comparisons to the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket that produced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that Ogun’s political dynamics differ from the national landscape.
“Ogun State has a unique political landscape in which only those who understand its delicate social and religious balance can successfully navigate,” the group said.
The organization also cited what it described as the dominance of Christians in local government leadership positions, pointing out that 18 of the 20 local government chairmen in the state are Christians.
According to MURIC, the situation has created a perception of political exclusion among Muslims in the state.
The group urged political strategists, advisers and party leaders to carefully consider the implications of their decisions ahead of the 2027 elections.
He added that his intervention was not solely aimed at protecting Muslim interests, but at promoting fairness and justice in the political system.
“MURIC does not just speak for Muslims; it speaks for humanity, because injustice to one is injustice to all,” the statement adds.
The organization also warned Muslim leaders and clerics against compromising what it describes as Islamic interests for political favors or financial incentives.
While stressing that its position should not be interpreted as hostility towards Christians, the group called on political parties in the state to prioritize fairness and balance in selecting candidates for the 2027 governorship elections.
He argued that since the current governor of Ogun State is Christian, fairness suggests that the next governor should emerge from the Muslim community.
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