Oyo Governorship: Sheikh Akande Faults Religious Endorsement Of Alli, Urges Voters To Prioritise Competence
An Ibadan-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Lateef Akande, has criticised the reported endorsement of APC governorship aspirant, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, by the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, insisting that religion should not determine who becomes the next governor of Oyo State.
Akande maintained that competence, credibility, capacity and character should take precedence over religious affiliation in choosing the state’s next leader.
The cleric stated this on Friday while reacting to a statement attributed to the Aare Musulumi, reportedly urging Muslims in Oyo State to support Alli on the grounds that he is a Muslim and describing the governorship as belonging to Muslims.
Akande, who described himself as a practising Muslim committed to Islamic values, said he would rather support a candidate with visionary ideas and digital solutions capable of advancing Oyo State’s development than embrace religious sentiments.
He questioned the tendency of some religious leaders to make divisive political statements without considering their implications, particularly in a society where many families accommodate both Christians and Muslims.
To buttress his position, Akande cited the reported victory of Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s US Senate race, describing it as evidence that political support could transcend religious boundaries.
He also referenced the Osun governorship election, where he said religious sentiments were deployed against Governor Ademola Adeleke, but voters across religious divides still supported his re-election.
The cleric further cited Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York mayoral election, arguing that political leadership should not be reduced to religious identity.
Akande stressed that political power ultimately comes from Allah, regardless of the influence of religious leaders, campaign spending or attempts to discredit opponents.
He called on Governor Seyi Makinde’s Special Adviser on Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Abdul-Rasheed Abdul-Azeez, the Chairman of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Sheikh Hashim Atere, and other Muslim leaders to speak out in defence of Islam’s teachings on tolerance, unity and peaceful coexistence.
He urged them not to allow religion to be used as a political tool to divide residents of the state.
Akande also appealed to Oyo residents to reject religious bigotry and embrace issue-based politics anchored on competence, innovation and development.
He, however, expressed support for the Adekanmbi/Salawu governorship ticket, describing it as a platform for inclusivity and development irrespective of religious or social background.
The cleric warned that Oyo State must not allow political interests to undermine its longstanding tradition of religious harmony and peaceful coexistence.
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