The Muslims, who gave the conditions at this year’s edition of an annual lecture held at MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, to discuss “Nigeria’s Stability: Religious and Leaders on Call,” identified key issues that will influence their decision as including respect for Muslims’ rights in the manifestos of the political parties and candidates.
The decision was supported by the National Missioner of the Nasrul-lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Imam Mahroof Abdul-Azeez Onike; the Asiwaju Adinni of Ogun State, Prince Samsudeen Adebayo Apelogun; a former national president of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde; the Olota of Ota, Oba AbdulKabir Adeyemi Obalanlege and a host of other top Muslim personalities, clerics and representatives of Islamic organisations at the event.
In his welcome address, the Amir of OTM, Ustaz Tiamiyu Hammed, expressed concern that successive governments in the country had taken the rights of Muslims for granted.
In his address, the Waali of TMC, Dr Ibrahim Ogunkoya, warned that “Muslims will no longer treat with kid gloves, cases of molestation or psychological intimidation or suppression of Muslims.
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The chairman of the occasion, Prince Samsudeen Apelogun, had set the tone of the discussion at the event by calling on “political leaders at all levels of government to be models to the citizens by avoiding inciting statements that could disunite the country and plunge it into crisis.”
The missioner of NASFAT, Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike and a leader of OTM, Sheikh Isa Akindele Solahudeen, who spoke on “Hate Speech and Its Implications: Lessons from Other Climes” and “Before and Beyond 2019: Recipe For Peace in Our Nation,” respectively, called on political and religious leaders to work hard at ensuring the stability of Nigeria.
In his address, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka pledged his commitment to the welfare of the people of Ogun State.
Isiaka, who sought the support of Muslims for his aspiration, promised to take into consideration the demands of the Muslim community if elected as the governor of Ogun State.
In their keynote addresses, the representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr James Oludele Popoola and the state police command, Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi, called on all stakeholders to contribute positively towards the 2019 general elections.
Popoola urged members of the public to be part of the electoral process by being actively involved in the pre-election, election and post election activities.
Oyeyemi, who is the state Police Public Relations Officer, said the police would continue to play their role in ensuring violence-free campaigns and elections.
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