The Secretary General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, on Thursday accused the Federal Government of marginalising Muslims in the South-West.

Oloyede, who frowned on the situation, noted particularly that the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration had marginalised Muslims from the zone in political appointments.

He spoke with journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, after observing the Eid-el-fitr prayer.

He said, "We want to appeal to the Federal Government to be fair to all. There is no Muslim cabinet member from the zone in the Jonathan administration. I think it is important for us to be fair and to be just.

"We might be doing things, thinking that we are clever but we are deceiving ourselves. I think the truth of the matter is that we should be just and be fair to all. We should be equitable to all in such a way that we would not justify the views of people, who are hell-bent on disturbing the peaceful community of ours."

The NSCIA secretary- general, who asked the Federal Government to address the situation, noted that allowing the "unjust act" to continue could result in more crises in the country.

Oloyede also decried the continued link of the militant sect, Boko Haram to Islam, regretting the demonisation of the Islam because of the activities of the group.

He added, "I do not see any correlation between Boko Haram and Islam as far as we are concerned. You call them any name you want to call them. If anybody commits crime, give the person the treatment he deserves. We are complicating matters by demonising Islam because of the misdeeds of certain people, who claim to be Muslims.

"When people ignorantly accuse you, what you should do is to say ‘Peace be with you’ and go your way. Islam is a religion of peace and Islam will continue to be a religion of peace."