Oyo APC Lawmaker Urges Muslims to Reject Christian Candidates

The lawmaker representing Saki West State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Shittu has called on Muslims in the state to reject governorship candidates who are Christians in the 2027 election.

Shittu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the call in a video circulating on social media, where he urged Muslim voters to support Muslim candidates ahead of the poll.

He specifically appealed to Muslims to back candidates presented by the APC, while asking them not to vote for any political party that fields a Christian candidate for governor.

“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 part of the video, the lawmaker said, “Let us not vote for any party that presents a Christian candidate. Christians in government punish us because we are Muslims.”

The comments have generated reactions across social media as preparations continue ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.

Makinde, a Christian and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has repeatedly said religion should not determine who succeeds him in 2027.

The governor has maintained that competence, loyalty to Oyo State and continuity in governance should guide the choice of his successor.

In February, Makinde said the person who would succeed him would be selected based on competence and loyalty to the state rather than loyalty to him personally.

“I have made up my mind that whoever would emerge as my successor would be based on competence and loyalty to Oyo State, not to Seyi Makinde,” he said.

The governor also addressed the growing demand in some quarters for a Muslim to succeed him.

While speaking to intending pilgrims ahead of the 2026 Hajj, Makinde said Oyo State had a long history of peaceful relations between people of different faiths.

“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 would sustain the achievements and the good works we are doing in the state,” he said.

He added: “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 further said he would not allow religious considerations to divide the people of the state as the 2027 election approaches.

Shittu’s position, however, places the religious question at the centre of the emerging political contest.

The Saki West lawmaker’s comments also come amid calls from some Muslim groups for a Muslim to take over from Makinde after the completion of his two terms.

In May, the Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars urged Makinde to support a competent Muslim candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

The group argued that Muslims had played an important role in Makinde’s electoral victories in 2019 and 2023 and should be considered in the succession process.

Another group, the Islamic Coordination Council of Oyo State, also argued that it was the turn of a Muslim to occupy the Agodi Government House in 2027.

The group cited the religious backgrounds of previous governors while making its case for a Muslim successor.

However, the debate has not been limited to calls for a Muslim governor.

Oyo State has had governors from both major religious backgrounds since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

Lam Adesina, Rashidi Ladoja and Abiola Ajimobi were Muslims, while Adebayo Alao-Akala and Seyi Makinde were Christians.

The state’s political history has therefore included changes in religious identity among those occupying the governorship position.

Makinde’s administration has also repeatedly highlighted religious balance in government appointments.

The governor previously said his administration had made efforts to ensure that Christians and Muslims were represented in political appointments.

He also said Muslims, Christians and traditional worshippers would receive equal treatment from his government.

The latest controversy involving Shittu is not the first time the lawmaker has attracted attention over his public statements.

In January 2026, the Oyo State House of Assembly rejected an apology tendered by Shittu following allegations he made against the leadership of the legislature.

The Assembly’s Ethics and Privileges Committee had reviewed the matter after the statements circulated widely on social media.

The House subsequently described the apology as inadequate and referred the matter back to the committee for further recommendations.