MURIC says only Yoruba Muslims should seek Nigeria’s presidency in 2023, creating an obstacle for Osinbajo, a Christian
Controversial Islamic group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has ruled out any candidate that is not a Yoruba Muslim from seeking the 2023 presidency.
The group, in a statement on Monday, October 25, names former Lagos governor, Bola Tinubu, and seven others among those that should be considered to replace President Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim also.
MURIC Director, Ishaq Akintola, a professor of Islamic Eschatology at the Lagos State University (LASU), said in a statement that it believes 2023 is the turn of the Yoruba Muslim to occupy Aso Rock because Yoruba Christians have enjoyed that luxury.
“No Yoruba Muslim has emerged as president since independence. 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 (Professor Yemi Osinbajo),” the statement read.
MURIC said its position meant that it would not accept any Christian presidential candidate in the South West.
“For the avoidance of doubt, MURIC has no favourite political party in this affair. Any political party that picks a Yoruba Christian as its presidential candidate come 2023 should simply kiss Yoruba Muslim votes goodbye. No political party should tell us that they cannot find competent Yoruba Muslims,” the group said.
MURIC director lists the Muslims from the South West he deems eligible to replace Buhari in 2023: “Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu is a Muslim, a manufacturer of leaders and a mentor of performers. Dr. Muiz Banire is a Muslim. Lagos deputy governor, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, is a Muslim. Fashola, Aregbesola, Oloyede, Senator Fatai Buhari, Dr. Abdul Lateef Abdul Hakeem, etc are Muslims of Yoruba stock who have distinguished themselves in public office. Stop marginalizing Yoruba Muslims. We have the stuff. On Yoruba Muslim presidential candidate we stand.”