Archbishop advocates for Muslim governor


The Most Reverend Isaac Ayo Olawuyi, Archbishop of the Methodist Church Nigeria Lagos, has called for a Muslim governor to be elected in Lagos State in 2027.

According to reports, the current governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a Christian, will complete his second term in 2027, marking 12 consecutive years of Christian leadership in the state.

Speaking at the 22nd Annual Thanksgiving Service of the Lagos State House of Assembly, themed “The Voice of Mercy,” Archbishop Olawuyi emphasized the importance of religious tolerance. He suggested that it would be appropriate to allow a Muslim to take on the role of governor after Sanwo-Olu’s tenure.

Isaac Ayo Olawuyi

The Archbishop noted that since 2015, the governorship has been held by Christians—Akinwunmi Ambode, who served a single term from 2015 to 2019, and Sanwo-Olu, who is currently in his second term.

“It would be 12 years in 2027 that we have had Christians as governors. Now, it’s time to give our Muslim brothers a chance to lead Lagos State,” he stated.

He also recalled that from 1999 to 2015, Lagos was governed by Muslims—Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola—before the transition to Christian leadership. The statement was issued by Eromosele Ebhomele, Chief Press Secretary to Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.