MURIC Lists Potential Yoruba Candidates For 2023 Presidential Election

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has insisted on a presidential candidate from the Yoruba Muslim, ahead of the 2023 politicking.

MURIC Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, on Monday in a statement argued that no Yoruba Muslim has ever occupied Aso Rock either as a president or vice president since independent in 1960 whereas three Yoruba Christians have occupied the position.

He also listed some Muslims who are Yoruba that can favourably lead the country to include; Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Muiz Banire, Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, Babatunde Fashola, Rauf Aregbesola, Is-haq Oloyede, Senator Fatai Buhari, and Dr. Abdul Lateef Abdul Hakeem, among others.

“No Yoruba Muslim has emerged as president since 1960. Mathew Olusegun Obasanjo has been president twice: once as a military head of state (1976 – 79) and as a civilian president (1999 -2007). Earnest Shonekan was an interim head of state (August 1993 – November 1993). Today we still have a Yoruba Vice President who is also a Christian (Prof. Yemi Osinbajo),” he said.

“In the same vein, it has been persecution and stigmatisation galore for Yoruba Muslims since independence. They are denied almost all civil liberties. It is easier for an elephant to pass through a needle’s eye than for a Yoruba Muslim graduate to secure employment. Yoruba Muslims are marginalized in political appointments,” he said.