AN Islamic human rights group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint at least five Muslim ministers from the South West in order to address “the gross marginalisation which Yoruba Muslims have faced in the past”.

The demand was contained in a statement issued by the group’s Director, Ishaq Akintola, on Friday, who noted that “despite the fact that Muslims are in the majority in the (South West) region, they have always been “shortchanged politically”.

Akintola explained that five out of the six governors of the South Western states were Christians and therefore Buhari should appoint a Muslim minister in each of the states with Christian Governors.

“By the time newly elected governors are sworn in on May 29, 2019, the South West will be having five Christian governors and only one Muslim governor. This leaves Muslims at a disadvantage in a sub-region where they are the majority,” Akintola argued.

“We are therefore demanding Muslim ministers in all the states where the governors are Christians (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti). This request should be considered against the backdrop of the gross marginalisation which Yoruba Muslims have faced in the past.

“We appeal to the presidency to consider the need to urgently address the injustice done to Muslims in the South West where they are the majority. They have always been politically marginalized despite having qualified personnel.

“Unfortunately, Buhari’s regime has also inadvertently shortchanged them. In the name of justice, fairness and equity, therefore, we demand Muslim ministers in the five South West states where the governors will be Christians come May 29, 2019.”

Akintola lamented that the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan threw caution to the wind and appointed six Christian ministers from the six states in the South West despite complaints from several quarters.

He insisted that by demanding more Muslim ministers, “MURIC is neither being selfish nor sentimental. Natural justice demands equitable representation if we are all part of the Nigerian project.”