The Muslim Rights Concern has stated that it will oppose the alleged plans to draft the president of African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwunmi Adesina, into the 2023 presidential race.

MURIC Director, Ishaq Akintola, in a statement on Monday, accused Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former president of backing Adesina to rule the country.

Daily Post reported Akintola as saying that the 2023 presidential ticket should be given to a Yoruba Muslim.

It argued that while three Yoruba Christians have occupied Aso Rock villa, not a single Yoruba Muslim has been allowed to hold the position of president or vice president since independence.

Akintola said:

“Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo is reportedly making attempts to draft the current president of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, into the 2023 presidential race. We object to this move. Obasanjo wants to waste all the efforts put in place by the Nigerian government to get Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina to that continental position.”

MURIC claimed that Yoruba Muslims form the majority of the population in the South West and should not be denied inclusiveness which is a cardinal principle of democracy.

According to him, another Yoruba Christian presidency will lead to repression and persecution of Yoruba Muslims.