The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) has urged the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to replicate to them the gesture of buses donated to the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN).
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by Alhaji Sani Suleiman Maigoro, NACOMYO’s National President and Alhaji Mas’ud Akintola, National Secretary-General.
Tinubu’s wife had on Saturday donated seven 18-seater hybrid compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to YOWICAN to “support the mobility and outreach of Christian youths across the country”.
NACOMYO, therefore, called on the first lady to extend a similar gesture of support to the Muslim youth constituency, in the spirit of fairness, justice, and inclusivity.
The group acknowledged and respected the First Lady’s prerogative to support youth initiatives across religious divides.
It, however, we viewed the action as a symbol of growing insensitivity and bias against Muslim youths, and a deviation from the principles of fairness, inclusivity, and national balance expected of the highest office in the land.
NACOMYO noted that the gesture, coming from the office of the First Lady, a public institution sustained by national resources, raises constitutional, ethical, and moral questions about the selective nature of government-backed largesse in a multi-religious and plural society such as Nigeria.
”The perception of favoritism toward a particular religious youth group, especially at a time when Nigeria is in dire need of unity and equitable leadership, undermines public confidence in the federal government’s impartiality and fuels feelings of marginalization among Muslim youths who have been critical partners in national development.
”Islamic Perspective on Leadership is built on the foundation of justice, fairness, and equity to all citizens regardless of their faith or background.
”From this standpoint, leadership, including the symbolic role of the First Lady, must embody universal justice and not parochial preference.
”Selective generosity contradicts the ethical principles of governance, which obligates leaders to act with trust and benevolence toward all citizens equally.”
NACOMYO is particularly disturbed by the implication that Muslim youths, who are equal citizens of the land and actively supports the current administration, are being systematically sidelined in access to opportunities, recognition, and empowerment.
”This brazen marginalization feeds into a dangerous narrative of exclusion, threatening social cohesion and reinforcing suspicion between faith communities.
”We strongly affirm that the office of the First Lady, though informal, must serve as a unifying symbol of hope and inclusion, not a platform for sectarian patronage.
”By singling out one religious group for such a high-profile donation, the First Lady is inadvertently pushing and deepening religious fault lines at a time when Nigeria desperately needs healing and trust-building.”
NACOMYO called on first lady to extend a similar gesture of support to the Muslim youth constituency, in the spirit of fairness, justice, and inclusivity.
”Such action would not only demonstrate leadership sensitivity but also strengthen interfaith harmony and national confidence in her office.”
NACOMYO also urge President Bola Tinubu and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who head the executive and legislative arms of the Federal Government l to ensure that the principles of equity and inclusiveness are upheld across all arms and offices of government.
The organisation noted that Tinubu administration was elected on the promise of national unity and shared prosperity.
It stated that these values must be reflected in all official actions, including those undertaken by members of the First Family.
NACOMYO reiterated its unwavering commitment to peaceful coexistence, national development, and moral leadership in line with Islamic teachings.
”However, we will continue to speak truth to power where fairness is compromised and where the dignity of Nigerian Muslims is undermined.”