The gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state, Engineer Seyi Makinde has challenged his All Progressive Congress (APC) counterpart in Oyo State, Chief Bayo Adelabu to name one thing he has done for the Muslim community before he showed interest in the governorship race.
Makinde made this known in a statement from his campaign organisation and signed by his spokesman, Prince Dotun Oyelade, Makinde stating that if Adelabu names one, he will name a dozen.
This Makinde said it became necessary because of rumours being peddled about by Adelabu’s hatchet men, saying the unimaginable campaign of calumny is highly regretted.
He added that the unfounded and despicable lies being spread that he hates Muslims and will stop the use of Hijab, Cancellation of Hijra holiday or return schools to Missionary when the reverse is the case.
He asked, “Where was Adelabu when I started organising my popular Omituntun annual Ramadan Lecture six years ago to promote Islam and peaceful co-existence. Where was he when, for several years now, I have been sponsoring Muslim to Mecca.”?
Makinde said that while Adelabu did not make up his mind which religion he actually wanted to be identified with, ” I have been adding value to the propagation of both religion without any fuss yet I am a Christian with a devoted and renowned Muslim deputy, Alhaji Abdul Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan who has contributed to the growth of Muslims and Islam.
Makinde asked rhetorically, ” Bayo, we know ourselves, how many months ago did you actually decide to identify with Islam?”
While he admitted that the APC candidate reserves the rights to chose his path in life, corporate lies and mudslinging is a sin before God.
“I have also attended several Islamic oriented meetings at instances of Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land, Alhaji Daud Akinola, League of Imams and Alfa, Muslim Association of Nigeria, Nasfat to mention a few where I tabled before them my Blueprint and it received applause.”
He reiterated that people should stop mixing religion with politics and look for merit on how to bash grinding poverty who doesn’t recognize anyone based on religion leaning. ” I believe I have the capacity to rescue the state from the brink of collapse.