The League of Imams and Alfas in Ekiti on Tuesday asked Islamic faithful in the state to reject rams and other food items for next week’s Eid-el Kabir festival, if offered to them by Governor Ayo Fayose.
Mr. Fayose is known for distributing food items to residents of the state during elections and festivities, a practice that has been dubbed ‘stomach infrastructure’.
The decision by the Islamic leaders followed allegations of “deliberate marginalization of Muslims in Ekiti State government political appointments”.
That allegation was leveled against Mr. Fayose by the League at its meeting held at the Ansar-u-Deen Society Central Mosque, Ado Ekiti.
In the communique signed by the its assistant secretary, Quadri Oguntuase; a representative of Ansar-u-deen Missioner, Fatai Jimoh; and Chief Imam, Ilogbo, Abdul RasaK, the League said following ‘deliberate marginalization’ of Muslims in respect of political appointments, there was no basis for accepting gifts from the governor.
“Ekiti State Council hereby resolves that: No Muslim in the State should collect rams and other food items if presented to them in any form by the government,” the League said.
Mr. Fayose has come under criticism from Muslims in the state who complain his appointments are lopsided and skewed against them.
While under fire at home, Mr. Fayose busied himself criticising appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari, which he said far favoured the North of the country.
Nigeria is characterized by multiplicity of cleavages, particularly religion, and ethnicity, said Femi Mimiko, a professor of Political Science.
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad, and the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisation, Ekiti State, had separately criticized Mr. Fayose over his appointments.
The Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress also condemned “Fayose’s treatment of Muslims in terms of appointment in the state”, describing it as the “the worst since the state was created”.
