2023: League of Imams Akure Land Pray for Good Leaders, Peaceful Election

BY Dupson Collins, 12th February, 2023

Ahead of the February 25 and March 11 General Elections, the League of Imams, Akure Land in Ondo State has organized a special prayer where the Islamic clerics prayed for good leaders and peaceful conduct in the forthcoming election.

The programme was held at the Akure Central Mosque on Sunday, 12th February, 2023 where Imams, Islamic clerics and Muslim faithfuls came together to sought the face of God as Nigerians are about to take another political decision that will shape their lives in the next four years.

Speaking, the Guest Lecturer, Dr Mohammed Awwal Abdulwasi, a Lecturer from the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo speaks on the topic “Muslims, our Roles During the electioneering period”.

In his lecture, he stated that for the 2023 election to be successful, everybody has a role to play before, during and after the election.” The political parties, religion and traditional leaders, Judiciary, INEC, security agencies, voters among others have sensitive roles to play in the forthcoming election”.

He presented a model that gives preference to the candidate of the All Progressive Congress who both the presidential candidate and running mate are Muslim faithfuls, adding that the model can only work if personalities of candidates are consider. “Antecedent and capabilities of who to be voted matter a lot as Nigerians go to poll”.

Dr Awwal Abdulwasi said to be politically relevance in running the affairs of the country, Muslim must not only be a voter but actively participate in the mainstream politics and contested for positions of authority.

He said: ” The Holy Quran does not in any way against the active participation of Muslims in politics; we can vote and be voted for but to be relevant in governance, power is needed”.

He reiterated the need for Muslim to be at the forefront of politics rather than be at the background, adding that in 2023 election, Muslim should come out in their numbers to vote for the candidate favoured by the proposed model.

While advising politicians to shun campaign of calumny, he equally told the electorates to vote for candidate with track record of achievements and refuse to be bought by selfish and merchandise politicians.

The Chief Imam of Akure, Sheikh Abdul-Hakeem Yayi Akorede Al-bakar stated that 2023 election is another opportunity for Nigerians to vote another set of leaders saying track record of serving politicians will either make or mar them at the poll.

According to him, “your PVC is your voting power and you are at liberty to vote for any candidate that appeal to you; personality, capability and credibility should be your priorities as you cast your votes”.

The Chairman Muslim Welfare Board in Ondo State, Alhaji Zikirullah Adam Chandy appealed to everyone to partake in the forthcoming election, saying it is part of their civil duties to exercise their franchise and vote for leader that can transform the country.

He charged the Muslim in the state to vote for the candidate of the of the All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, saying out of the candidates in the race, the Islamic model of Muslim-Muslim/personality favoured him above others.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Sadiq Obanoyen, PDP Caretaker Chairman in Ekiti State asked parents to warn their wards to stay away from violence before, during and after election.

In the same vein, Chief Jamiu Ekungba commended the the religious leaders for the programme saying it is timely while appealing to political leaders to warn their supporters as the country approaches the election days.

In his goodwill message, Dr Abbas Mimiko charged the Muslim of the South West to wake up, saying for a long time, they have been cheated hiding under the guise that they are liberal Muslim.

He said: “When June 12 election was annulled, rather than looking for a Muslim from the South West, a Christian was settled for, Chief Ernest Shonekan whereas the MKO Abiola that was robbed of his victory was a Muslim.

Abbas, a younger brother to the former governor of Ondo State appealed to all Muslim faithfuls in Ondo State to embrace Tinubu ahead of the February 25 election, saying aside being a Muslim from the South West, he has what it takes to lead Nigeria out of the wood.

” It is another hypocrite to say Prof Yemi Osibanjo, a Christian would have been a better candidate than Tinubu, another conspiracy against Muslim. Asiwaju Tinubu has what it takes to be the president of Nigeria”.

” This is another golden opportunity for us as Muslim and people of the South West to produce the president of Nigeria; if we miss it, it might take us another century to get this kind of opportunity again”.

He reiterated the need for Muslim to be elected governor in Ondo State adding that Muslims in the state have the number to become governor aside being a second fiddle.

Chairman Special Duty Committee for League of Imams, Alhaji Abdul Nafir Ismail Ododoloto who doubled as the Chairman Planning Committee said the programme was organized to sensitise the public mostly the Muslim community of the importance and their respective roles in the forthcoming election in Nigeria.

He words: “The take home from the public lecture is for everyone to do the right thing and exercise their franchise. You can only have the courage to challenge elected leaders if they are going contrary to the promised made if only you voted”.

Imam Ododoloto charged them to go back to their respective homes and spread the news of peaceful election, telling people to come out in mass to vote for candidate of their choice.

While charging voters to shun violence and thuggery before, during and after election, he added that aside the lecture, the League of Imams prayed for good leaders that will prioritize the welfare of the masses, fear God, think of Nigerians above personal interest and also prayer toward peaceful conduct of the election.