TheCable

Christian Rights of Nigeria (CRN) has accused the Lagos state house of assembly of rejecting commissioner nominees on religious grounds.

On Wednesday, the Lagos assembly declined to confirm 17 out of 39 commissioner nominees recommended by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of the state.

Six former commissioners who served in the first term of Sanwo-Olu are among the 17 nominees not cleared by the assembly.

The former commissioners are Gbenga Omotoso (information and strategy); Akin Abayomi (health); Cecilia Dada (Women affairs and poverty alleviation); Olalere Odusote (energy resources); Folashade Adefisayo (education) and Sam Egube (economic planning and budget).

In a statement issued on Thursday by Eliashib James, CRN national lead, the group said the rejection of the nominees was a move to “stoke religious tensions” in the state.

The group claimed that the decision of the Lagos assembly was motivated by the comment of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) on the nomination of commissioner nominees.

The group said the leadership positions in the state are dominated by Muslims, adding that “Christians never raised eyebrow”.

“We have watched in utter amazement the unfolding drama at the Lagos state house of assembly where surreptitious moves are being made by the House leadership to stoke religious tension in Lagos state,” the statement reads.

The group accused the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) of instigating the pushback.

In July, MURIC accused Sanwo-Olu of “marginalising” Muslims in the state.

The group said Sanwo-Olu’s list of commissioner nominees comprises only eight Muslims.