Oyo Assembly APC Member Tells Muslims to Oppose Christian Governorship Candidates, Warning Islam Would Suffer

Ibrahim Shittu, a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly representing Saki West State Constituency, has urged Muslims to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) Muslim candidates and to reject any political party that presents a Christian candidate for governor in the 2027 election. Shittu, who is also an APC member, made the remarks in a video circulating on social media. "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," Shittu said. In another section of the video, the lawmaker reportedly said Muslims should not vote for any party that presents a Christian governorship candidate. He added that, in his view, "Christians in government punish us because we are Muslims." The comments come as political discussions intensify ahead of the 2027 Oyo State governorship election and amid calls from some Muslim groups for a Muslim to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde, a Christian who is serving his second term. Makinde has previously said that religion should not determine his successor, stressing that capability and commitment to Oyo State should guide the choice. He has also spoken about the longstanding coexistence of Muslims and Christians in the state.