Popular Ibadan-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Lateef Akande, has implored residents of Oyo State to reject religious bigotry and embrace politics of ideas, competence and development.
He said the Adekanmbi/Salawu ticket represents inclusivity, innovation and genuine commitment to the progress of all, aside faith or background.
He spoke on Friday while reacting to a statement credited to the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, purportedly endorsing the APC governorship candidate, Oba Sharafadeen Alli, and directing all Muslims to support him because he is a Muslim.
Akande maintained that religion should not be the basis for selecting the next governor, but competence, credibility, capacity and character.
Declaring that he’s a practicing Moslem but supporting Adekanmbi/Salawu Ticket, the cleric added that he would rather support a man with visionary and digital ideas to advance Oyo State than toe the line of religious bigotry.
He wondered why Islamic clerics fail to weigh the gravity of their statements especially in a country where individual families have both religions under the same roof.
He mentioned the United States, where Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan’s open US Senate seat on Tuesday, becoming the first Muslim elected to the chamber without religious bigotry, despite President Donald Trump playing the religious card.
According to him, El-Sayed’s victory marked a breakthrough for the Democratic Party’s progressive wing and denied Republicans a chance to flip the seat of retiring Senator Gary Peters.
He said one with God is majority, stressing that only Allah gives power regardless of any campaign of calumny or money being used to lure the electorate.
He also stated that similar religious card failed in Osun when APC claimed its candidate was more practicing than Governor Ademola Adeleke, but Adeleke still won with both Muslim and Christian votes.
He also referenced New York where Zohran Mamdani won as Mayor with both Christian and Muslim votes, insisting only Allah gives power and not religious leaders.
He advised the Special Adviser on Islamic Affairs to Governor Seyi Makinde, Alhaji Abdul-Rasheed Abdul-Azeez, the Chairman of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Sheikh Hashim Atere, and other practicing Muslims to speak more on religious tolerance, unity and peaceful coexistence.
He cautioned that Oyo State has always thrived on religious harmony and must not allow desperate politicians to import divisive narratives that could threaten the peace and unity the state currently benefits.
