While the the horse trading and intense pressure that followed the appointment of Hon.Abegunde Sunday as the secretary to the ondo stage government might have eased, reactions however willncontunie to trail the decision of governor Rotimi Akeredolu as regards to his recent appointments.
One of those nursing some fears and anger is the Muslim community in Ondo state who felt they have been marginalised by the governor after promises of giving Muslims a good office in the scheme of things especially the post of SSG.
It has been conventional in Ondo state political history to make political offices cut across religious, social and tribal backgrounds. The museums are of the view that since the governor and deputy are Christians, as such the secretary to the state government should be naturally ceded to Muslims which turned out not to be.
While these set of Muslims brood over this loss, they are however pointing accusing fingers at the Muslim leadership in APC fold especially one Alhaji Nuraen Akorede, who is the chairman of progressive Muslims council. Akorede was accused to have sold out in the quest of Muslims to have a good appointment. He was accused to have made promise to them about Akeredolu being an upright man who would make good of his promise to cede SSG to Muslims which is now seen as an empty promise.
Further investigation showed that all is not well with the Muslim community and some of their leaders whom they accused to have dumped the struggle half way. Such was the president of the Ondo state league Of Imams and Alfas and Chief imam of Owo Alhaji Ahmad Aladesawe whom they alleged took a sum of money from Abegunde Sunday in reneging on earlier stand to pressurize the governor in making a Muslim the SSG.
As it stands now, the first four positions in Ondo state are occupied by Christians from the governor, to the deputy, SSG, speaker of the House of Assembly.
Even other appointments made so far is seeing as lopsided by the Muslim community. Out of the whole appointments made so far, only two are Muslims. Even at that, the aggrieved party say ENGINEER RAHEEM OLAYIWOLA AMINU was not appointed on the Muslim ticket because he hails from Owo, same town with governor Akeredolu.
While that of RT. HON. TAOFEEK OLAWALE ABDUSALAM is seen as a slap on the face of entire Muslim community. This source says “its unheard of,that a former speaker of house of assembly will now be made a special adviser”.
It is however yet unclear what will be the next line of action for these set of muslims especially those who aligned with the ruling APC in Ondo state under the aegis of the Progressive Muslims Council. Much as the desired may not be given to the Muslims, fingers are now crossed to see how other appointments of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu will play out as they get unfolded since commissioners and other vital positions are yet to be filled.
