Uncategorized Gov. Fayemi’s earliest appointments anger Muslim youths

The National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations, NACOMYO, has faulted the first appointments made by newly-inaugurated Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

The religious youth group said the appointment was lopsided and totally marginalized the Muslim community in Ekiti State.

The organization said this during a protest held at the Central Mosque, Ado Ekiti, on Thursday.

The Coordinator of NACOMYO in the state, Tajudeen Olutope Ahmed, pointed out that excluding Muslim from the first three appointments announced by the governor was “shocking and highly disturbing to all Muslim in the state.”

Fayemi had yesterday announced the appointments of Abiodun Oyebanji as Secretary to the State Government; Biodun Omoleye as Chief of Staff and Yinka Oyebode as his Chief Press Secretary.

NACOMYO said Muslims in the state constitute about 40 per cent of the population, adding that the governor was given their total support by voting massively for him during the governorship polls.

They said, “The exclusion of Muslims from the entire membership of the core principal officers of this administration is therefore worrisome, unjust, condemnable and unacceptable. We see it as a calculated attempt to exclude Muslims from the fundamental aspect of decision making process in Ekiti State.

“The exclusion of the Muslims in this regard is a violation of the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).

“The exclusion of Muslims from the core principal appointments of Dr. John Kayode Fayemi is a derogation of the motto of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as provided in Section 15 (1) of the 1999 constitution (as amended). Rather than projecting ‘Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress’; the recent appointments made by the Government will breed “disunity, commotion and backwardness.

“We also call on the governor to ensure inclusion of Muslims in all appointments to be made in future at both state and local government levels this will pave the way for the reign of justice, equity and peace in the state.”