The Archbishop of the Methodist Church Nigeria in Lagos, Most Rev. Isaac Ayo Olawuyi, has advocated for the election of a Muslim governor in Lagos State in the 2027 general elections.
He noted that by that time, Christians will have held the governorship position in the state for 12 consecutive years, pointing out the importance of political balance and religious inclusivity.
This statement was made during the 22nd Annual Thanksgiving Service of the Lagos House of Assembly, an event held under the theme ‘The Voice of Mercy.’ In a press release issued by Eromosele Ebhomele, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, the Archbishop emphasized the need for religious tolerance in the state. He suggested that after a long stretch of Christian leadership, it was time for a Muslim to be given the opportunity to govern Lagos.
In his remarks, Archbishop Olawuyi reflected on the political trajectory of Lagos State over the past 12 years, during which time the office of governor had been occupied by two Christian leaders—Akinwunmi Ambode and Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Ambode, who governed from 2015 to 2019, served a single term after a fallout with his political mentor, while Sanwo-Olu, the current governor, has completed one term and is nearing the end of his maximum two terms in office. By 2027, Sanwo-Olu will have served the full eight years allowed under the state’s constitutional limits, thus concluding a dozen years of Christian leadership in the state.
The Archbishop’s call for a Muslim governor was rooted in the belief that Lagos, as a melting pot of diverse cultures and religions, should reflect this diversity in its political leadership. “It would be 12 years in 2027 that we have been in the system together, and we have had Christians as governors. Now, it’s time to give our Muslim brothers a chance to govern us in Lagos State,” he stated. His words resonate with the growing sentiment in some quarters that leadership should rotate among the major religious groups to ensure fairness, peace, and unity in the state.
The Archbishop’s statement also highlighted the broader theme of religious tolerance, an issue that has been gaining prominence in the political discourse of Nigeria, especially in multicultural urban centers like Lagos. As one of the most economically and culturally significant states in the country, Lagos is home to both a large Christian and Muslim population. The call for a Muslim governor is seen by some as a step toward fostering greater unity and inclusiveness in the state’s leadership structure.
While the Archbishop’s comments are likely to spark debate, they also reflect the complex dynamics of Nigerian politics, where religious and ethnic considerations often play a significant role in the selection of leaders. The question of whether the electorate will heed this call in the upcoming 2027 elections remains to be seen, but it undeniably sets the stage for discussions on religious equity in Lagos politics.
In the end, the Archbishop’s call for a Muslim governor in 2027 underscores a desire for political balance and representation, inviting all religious groups in Lagos to come together in the interest of the state’s continued development and unity.
