An All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Shittu Ibraheem Aremu, has urged Muslims in the state to support Muslim candidates in the 2027 elections.
Shittu, who represents Saki West State Constituency, specifically called on Muslims to support Muslim candidates presented by the APC and reject any political party that fields a Christian candidate for governor.
The lawmaker made the remarks in a video circulating on social media.
He said, “Support all our Muslim candidates in APC. Any political party with a Christian guber candidate must not be voted for. If such a person is voted in, Islam would suffer.”
In another part of the video, Shittu said Christians in government had allegedly disadvantaged Muslims and urged Muslim voters not to support political parties that presented Christian governorship candidates.
“Let us not vote for any party that presents a Christian candidate. Christians in government punish us because we are Muslims,” he said.
Debate Over Makinde’s Successor
The comments come amid an emerging debate over who should succeed Governor Seyi Makinde when he completes his second term in 2027.
Makinde, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, is a Christian and has previously said religion should not determine his successor.
The governor has said competence and loyalty to Oyo State should be the major considerations in choosing the next governor.
Speaking to intending pilgrims ahead of the 2026 Hajj, Makinde acknowledged the calls for a Muslim successor but urged residents to focus on a candidate who would sustain the state’s development.
“There is a lot of discussion going on right now on the choice of who would become the next governor. The conversation going on is about a Muslim being my successor, but I want you to pray that God should choose the person that will sustain the achievements and the good works we are doing,” he said.
He also stressed that religion had not been a major source of division in the state.
“For us in Oyo State, religion is not an issue. We have all religions in our various families, and we have always coexisted peacefully,” Makinde said.
Groups Back Muslim Governor
Shittu’s comments come as some Muslim groups in the state intensify calls for a Muslim to take over from Makinde in 2027.
In May, the Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars called on Makinde to support a competent Muslim candidate, arguing that Muslims had played an important role in his electoral victories.
The Islamic Coordination Council of Oyo State has also backed the idea of a Muslim successor, saying it was time for a Muslim to occupy the Agodi Government House.
However, Oyo’s political history since the return to democracy in 1999 has seen governors from both major religious backgrounds.
Former governors Lam Adesina, Rashidi Ladoja and Abiola Ajimobi were Muslims, while Adebayo Alao-Akala and Makinde are Christians.
Shittu’s Comments Spark Reactions
The lawmaker’s remarks have generated reactions on social media, coming at a time when political parties and aspirants are beginning to position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
The statement has also brought the question of religion in Oyo politics back into public discussion, particularly the debate over whether the next governor should be selected based on religious identity or other considerations.
Shittu, who is an APC member, is currently serving his constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly. The official Oyo State Government website lists him as the member representing Saki West State Constituency under the APC.
