Why Lagos Muslims shunned same faith candidates, endorsed Sanwo-Olu – Sheikh Abou

Saheed Salawu

THE chairman of the Lagos Central Mosque and the Baba Adinni of Lagos State, Sheikh AbdulAfeez Abou, has explained that the endorsement of the state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for second term by Muslims in the state was borne out of their desire for the continuity of the governor’s development projects.

According to Sheikh Abou, the Muslim community cannot sacrifice the landmark achievements Lagos State has recorded over the years at the altar of religious bias.

The cleric, in a statement on Wednesday signed by him and the vice chairman of the Lagos Central Mosque and the Bashorun of Lagos, Alhaji Sikiru Alabi-Macfoy, said: “It is true that we have Muslims contesting against Governor Sanwo-Olu; our interest lies in the continuity of the development agenda started by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the state governor.

“We believe that with him at the presidency and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) retaining Lagos, the infrastructural development in Lagos State will be fast-tracked.

“We also considered Governor Sanwo-Olu’s passion for the growth of the state’s economy, coupled with an experienced deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat. Our conclusion is that Lagos should continue to be entrusted to the hands of experienced personalities.

“Our decision to support the governor for second term is to see the progress of the state not stunted and to see the dream of Asiwaju Tinubu for the state come to fruition. Tinubu’s blueprint for the state has over the years made the state the envy of others.”

Sheikh Abou implored the state government to enlarge the membership of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) to include Muslim professionals.

He urged Lagosians to vote massively for Sanwo-Olu who he said deserved another term in office because of his track record.

The cleric, who assured the governor of the votes of the Muslim community, appealed to youths to stop their anger and allow reason to prevail.