Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan
Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), ‘Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, stated his administration is not going to enable spiritual variations to divide the individuals of the state, insisting that the individuals share a standard ancestry and should stay united no matter their religion.
This is simply because the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland stated it is not going to declare assist for any politician or political celebration forward of the 2027 normal election.
Makinde, who made the declaration in Ibadan on the opening of a three-day convention for Imams, Alfas/Ulama, political workplace holders and conventional rulers, tagged, ‘Rabitah 2026,’ organised by the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland (Rabitah tul Aimma wal Hulammai fii Biladi Yoruba), additionally appealed to Muslim leaders throughout the state to use their affect to promote unity, peace and political stability forward of the elections.
The convention, with the theme, ‘The Responsibilities of Politicians and Electorate During and After Electoral Process,’ had in attendance distinguished Islamic clerics, students, conventional rulers and political stakeholders from throughout the South-west.
Makinde famous that discussions surrounding the selection of the following governor of the state had intensified forward of the elections, urging political and non secular stakeholders not to enable such developments to create divisions alongside spiritual strains.
He stated: “We gained’t enable faith to divide us. Let us pray for our state and nation as a result of that is the interval main to the following election, when a brand new set of leaders will emerge.There is loads of dialogue occurring proper now concerning the selection of who will develop into the following governor.
“What matters most is that we must stay united. The progress of Oyo State is what is important to us, and I believe God will answer our prayers. For us in Oyo State, religion is not an issue.We have all religions in our various families, and we have always coexisted peacefully.”
Makinde additional illustrated the historic and familial connections between Muslims and Christians in Oyo State, disclosing that his circle of relatives background mirrored the spiritual range he was advocating.
“I, standing earlier than you, am Oluseyi Makinde.
Makinde was my grandfather on my father’s aspect. My father’s identify is Olatunbosun, and my grandfather, Makinde, lived and died as a Muslim. Those who’re acquainted with Oyo know this historical past.
“If I were to convene an extended family meeting this evening, about 65 per cent of those who would attend would be Muslims. I want to appeal to us that we must not allow ourselves to be divided along religious lines because we share the same ancestry and the same blood flows through our veins,” he stated.
In assist of the convention, the governor introduced a donation of N50 million to the organisers, describing the gathering as an necessary platform for spiritual engagement and collective prayers for the state and the nation.
He additionally referred to as on Muslim clerics and conventional spiritual leaders to play a constructive function within the 2027 electoral course of, noting that they’d have a major alternative to have interaction voters earlier than they make their decisions on the polls.
The Chairman of the League’s Board of Trustees, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory, in his remarks on the occasion, stated the organisation couldn’t announce any most popular candidate or political platform forward of the forthcoming elections, stressing that Islamic clerics weren’t politicians and that their duty was not to marketing campaign for political office-seekers or events however to pray for the emergence of credible leaders.
“We are religious leaders; we are not politicians, but we are the fathers of politicians. We will not declare support for any political party or politicians.We, the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, cannot declare support or announce our support for any politician or political party. We can only pray to God for Him to give us credible leaders,” he stated.
The convention was attended by the APM governorship candidate in Oyo State, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi; his working mate, Mufutau Open Salawu; and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Also current had been the League’s President, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere; Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiy Abubakar Agbotomokekere; Alfa Agba of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulbari Adetunji; Grand Mufti of Yoruba Land, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola; Secretary-General of the League, Sheikh Mustapha Oseni Adewale Hamzat; Chairman, Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Sheikh Hashim Atere; and Prof. Kamil Olosho.
Others included the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola; the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Olaoye; the Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Bashir Abioye; and the Iyalode Adini of Yorubaland, Alhaja Sedeekat Aderibigbe, alongside different distinguished Islamic clerics, students and Muslim devoted from Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos and Ondo States.
