Osun State Government, yesterday, chided Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) for its allegations against the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, over appointment of commissioners.
The government said MURIC had failed in its bid to foment religious crisis in the state, saying that appointment of commissioners and permanent secretaries was based on merit and competence.
In a statement, the government noted that ever since assuming office, Adeleke had premised his governance decisions on competency and commitment to duty by appointees, as well as avowed commitment to deliver good governance and correct inherited ills from previous governments.
“His first appointees occupying commanding heights of the government were appointed not by religion but merit, competency and conformation with his style of leadership.
“The same principle of meritocracy, which produced the nominated commissioners, was applied in the appointment of permanent secretaries. This policy of equity, fairness and competency also guided the many landmark decisions of the governor.
“MURIC should look elsewhere for its merchandise of extremism and division. Religious leaders in Osun understand and support the governor with prayers, which uphold him every second,” the statement reads in part.
MEANWHILE, the World Bishops’ Council (WBC) Africa, berated Prof. Ishaq Akintola for making move to cause religious mayhem in the state by accusing the governor of being a secret agent of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over appointments.
Spokesman of the Council, Bishop Seun Adeoye, in a statement in Osogbo, said: “For the mere fact that Christians had in the past ignored series of inciting statements issued by Akintola against their faith should not be seen as cowardice but rather as a way of keeping away from a man whose hidden intention has always been to cause religious crisis in the country.
“There is nothing wrong if Akintola was asking for fairness for Muslims from Governor Adeleke but this man surreptitiously hid in his statement what can cause chaos between peace-loving Christians and Muslims in the state.”
The Council urged Akintola to thread softly and give peace a chance not only in Osun but in Nigeria.
“Akintola knew what he was doing when he said Governor Adeleke is a secret agent of the Christian Association of Nigeria and that what the Governor did by the commissioners-nominee was a wanton blockage of Muslims to over-pampered and over-fed Christians in Osun State.
“This is a call to violence against the Christians in the state. Unfortunately, this Akintola, an indigene of the state was dumb when Governor Adeleke, a Muslim himself announced his first three key appointments six months ago.
“These three men are all Muslims and they included the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), the Chief of Staff (COS) and the Governor’s Spokesman.”
According to him, “I am not in a position to defend Governor Adeleke’s political appointments. I am not a politician. And I wish to say that it is not a bad idea to speak out against marginalisation.
“But for Akintola to cause mayhem between Christians and Muslims who have been living harmoniously together because of political appointments will not be tolerated.
“Before MURIC Executive Director put pen in his paper and sign any statement again, he needs to think of its consequences,” he added.
