…Says Gov. harbours animosity against Islam, Muslims
Dismisses claims Makinde worked for Tinubu’s presidential bid
The Oyo Muslim Community has thrown its weight behind the mandate of Senator Teslim Folarin, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the forthcoming election in Oyo State.
Chairman, Oyo Muslim Community, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, in a chat with Muslim News on Tuesday, said the decision was in the interest of Islam and the wellbeing of Muslims.
He said though the community does not belong to any political party, it has declared its support for Senator Folarin, a Muslim.
He therefore urged all members across the state to vote Folarin and reject the incumbent governor, Seyi Makinde.
The gubernatorial election slated for Saturday, March 11, 2023, will be fiercely contested by Senator Folarin, Governor Seyi Makinde of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Oloye Adebayo Adelabu, of Accord Party (AP).
The candidate of the Labour Party, Alhaji Tawfiq Akinwale is reportedly at loggerhead with his party over endorsement of Gov Makinde, saying he is not stepping down for anyone in the Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
Endorsement posters and letters of the Governor by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Oyo State which surfaced online has been seen by analysts as a strong signal that the 2023 general elections is based on ethno-religious sentiments.
Sanni, the chairman of the group however explained that election is not supposed to be founded on religion but the Christians sent letters to their churches and directed that all members to vote their choice candidate, Seyi Makinde.
“They sermonize in his favour during their Sunday service and curse whoever votes against him”, he noted.
The chairman stated that the decision to endorse Senator Teslim Folarin, who represents Oyo Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, was sanctioned by Imams in Oyo State, majority of Muslim leaders and organisations.
He described Makinde as a governor that harbours animosity against Islam and Muslims, recanting some of his moves that have been against the interests of Muslims.
According to him, “Makinde exhibits animosity towards Muslims in words and actions. One of such cases is that of the Muslims Judges.
“In 2021, Makinde worked against some senior members of the bench who are Muslims in the state high court to become judges. He refused to send their names to Abuja for about 3 months.
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With #PDP's Seyi Makinde's support for @officialABAT in the last election, will the Oyo Muslims re-elect a Christian gov. or vote #APC's Teslim Folarin, a Muslim, or another Muslim, Tawfiq Akinwale of LP or Adebayo Adelabu of Accord, also a Muslim, in the Oyo guber poll? pic.twitter.com/CzXcqPfLgO
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) March 6, 2023
“Aside that, Governor Seyi Makinde recently appointed education secretaries and just 10 of them are Muslims in the whole of Oyo State. Even the Technical University of Oyo State has all its principal officers as Christians and all these complaints of exclusion have been sent to his desk, but he cared less until now that he has an ambition.”
Alhaji Sanni emphasised that Makinde has been working against the interests of Muslims from inception of his administration.
He also lamented the poor record of Makinde as Governor, noting he took a World Bank loan but has nothing to show for it.
“The only achievements he can boast of are the parks he built of which it will take the state 29 years to recover the money expended on one of them. Oyo State would have generated more If he had invested in profitable dealings. He has utilised a lot of resources. He took World Bank loan and has nothing to show for it.
“The insecurity is another good reason he should not return to the seat. During the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s reign, no one dared to disturb the peace of the society, but now killings happen almost everyday.”
The Chairman also dismissed claims that Makinde supported Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential bid.
Some have suggested that Gov Makinde should be compensated with votes because of his support for Tinubu’s bid despite being a Muslim and from another party, APC.
“Let it be known that Seyi Makinde didn’t support Jagaban in his presidential bid. He showed support for him during the campaign but declared otherwise two days to the election. He should not take credit for what he did not do. We therefore call on Muslims across the state to peacefully come out in their numbers on Saturday and vote against him. Our candidate is Teslim Folarin of APC,” the elder statesman said.
