Group Endorses APC Against Adeleke’s Christian-Christian Ticket 

Blessing Bello, Reporting 

IN spite of condoning a Muslim-Muslim ticket at Aso Rock, a coalition of Muslim stakeholders in Osun State has thrown its weight behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, while levelling serious accusations of religious hypocrisy against incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The Concerned Muslim Stakeholders and the League of Alfas, addressing journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, claimed the governor had marginalised Muslims despite presenting himself as a fellow adherent of the faith during the 2022 election campaign.

Sheikh Qozeem AbdulRahaman, the group’s President, alleged that Governor Adeleke had “sought the Muslim votes by presenting himself as one of us, even adding ‘Nurudeen’ to his name” during the previous election cycle.

“However, his actions have been a mockery of our faith,” Sheikh AbdulRahaman declared. “We ask the people of Osun: Have you ever seen a Muslim being the head of a Parish church? Have you ever seen a devout Muslim wearing a Sutana?”

The cleric invoked Islamic teachings, stating: “Our religion teaches us to be truthful and detests hypocrisy. The Prophet (SAW) described a Munafiq (hypocrite) as one who, when he speaks, he lies; and when he makes a promise, he breaks it.”

Sheikh AbdulRahaman emphasised that the group had no objection to Christian leadership in principle, citing the precedent of former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a Christian who governed with a Christian deputy while receiving significant Muslim support.

“Muslims supported them because there was no deceit,” he explained. “This level of religious manipulation is what we call hypocrisy Munafiki Adini. It is a case of ‘the voice of Jacob and the hands of Esau’.”

With the 15th August 2026 gubernatorial election approaching, the group announced its endorsement of Asiwaju Munirudeen Oyebamiji of the APC after what it described as “an extensive evaluation of their track records, their commitment to the socio-religious balance of the state, and their political reach.”

While acknowledging Honourable Najeem Salam of the ADC as “a brother and a Muslim of repute,” the group maintained that Oyebamiji represented “the most viable Muslim candidate” in terms of political party structure and electoral reach.

“We must be strategic in our pursuit of fair representation,” Sheikh AbdulRahaman added.

The endorsement adds a religious dimension to what is shaping up to be a closely contested gubernatorial race in the South-Western state, with Governor Adeleke seeking re-election amid growing scrutiny of his administration’s handling of religious and ethnic representation.

— Stonix News