Osun Muslim Leaders Reject Calls for Christian-Only Governorship in 2026

The Concerned Muslim Stakeholders and the League of Alfas in Osun State have condemned recent calls by some leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), insisting that the next governor of Osun must be a Christian.

Speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo on Wednesday, Sheikh Qozeem AbdurRahamon, President-General of the League of Alfas, described the calls as “greedy, biased, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the people of Osun.”

The group recalled the history of governance in the state, noting that since Osun’s creation in 1991, all six military administrators were Christians, while Muslims had only brief representation in leadership positions. They argued that both Oyo and Osun States have long been dominated by Christians in governance, leaving Muslims largely marginalized in civil service appointments for decades.

Sheikh AbdurRahamon highlighted that even under Christian-Christian administrations, including the 2003–2010 period, Muslims in Osun never protested, demonstrating tolerance and political maturity. He described current claims of Christian marginalisation in the state as “false, provocative, and an insult to peace-loving citizens.”

The Muslim leaders insisted that it is time for a competent Muslim to govern Osun in 2026, saying, “Equity and fairness demand that Muslims are given their fair turn. Any attempt to deny this will attract strong political mobilisation across the state.”

The group called on political parties at both state and national levels to ignore what they termed “religious propaganda and deceitful claims” by CAN and PFN leaders in Osun.

Sheikh AbdurRahamon concluded by urging all stakeholders to preserve unity, warning against allowing selfish ambition and religious manipulation to divide the state.