Adeleke Fair to Us, Osun Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Chair Replies JOMAF

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo.

Chairman of the Osun Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Maruf Ishola, has dismissed as unfounded, claims that Governor Ademola Adeleke, was lopsided in his appointments, saying the governor has been fair to Muslims in the state.

Responding to a recent statement by the Osun State Chapter of Joint Muslims Action Forum (JOMAF) accusing Adeleke of bias against Muslims in his choice of appointments, he stressed that the allegation of the Muslim group against the governor was not only untrue but baseless 

Ishola, who pointed out that the first three appointments by Adeleke upon coming to office were all Muslims, said the governor had so far demonstrated strong affinity for the interests of Muslims in his government.

“The media report by Muslim group named Osun State Chapter of Joint Muslims Action Forum (JOMAF) on the allegations of lopsided appointments by Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, is baseless and untrue. It is an act to distract the working governor from performing his electioneering campaign to the good people of Osun State.

“It is on record that as soon as Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke assumed Office on 27th November, 2022, he announced the first appointments of three Muslims into the position of authority. 

“The appointments of Alhaji Teslim Adekunle Igbalaye as the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye as the Chief of Staff to the Governor and Mallam Olawale Rasheed as the Spokesperson to the Governor. This is a clear demonstration that Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has unalloyed love and support for the Muslim in Osun State.

“Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke’s appointment of cabinet members and Special Advisers is fair and is taking care of Muslims in his appointment and we still believe and hope that subsequent appointments will continue to favour the Muslims.”

He however, called on JOMAF to “continue supporting the Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke-led administration in his efforts at developing infrastructure across the state.”