The government of Osun State has defended its decision to appoint more christians and muslims as commissioners to the cabinet of Governor Ademola Adeleke, stressing that more christians were found more worthy and competent than their muslim counterparts when decision to appoint commissioners were made.
In a press statement by the spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke, in reaction to the protest statement of the Muslim Rights Concern led by Professor Ishaq Akintola, protesting the marginalisation of muslims in the commissioner nomination list sent to the Osun State House of Assembly last Friday for screening and approval, Olawale said muslims questioning the decision of the governor are religious bigots, ethnic partisans and agents of destabilisation with mere nuisance value.
Recall that MURIC in its protest statement had chided Governor Adeleke for choosing 17 christians to serve in his cabinet while merely 7 slots were reserved for muslims.
According to the group, “By deceiving Muslims in the state and engaging in spiritual hide and seek, Governor Adeleke has exhibited qualities short in honour and dignity but egregiously long in infamy and bohemianism.”
However, in his response today, Mallam Olawale Rasheed said Governor Adeleke’s appointments had always been on merit and competency, and not religion.
In his words, “The Governor has formed the habit of scouting for the best among indigenes,” Olawale said.