Muslims in Ogun State have given conditions to vote for candidates with assurance of full participation in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
The conditions, according to a communique issued at the end of the general meeting of the Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) held over the weekend, included competence, good track records of self-less services and sincere commitment to the protection of rights and interests of the Muslim community in the state.
The meeting, held at the Awujale’s palace in Ijebu-Ode and was presided over by the Council’s President-General, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu Land, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, said machineries have been sent in motion to ensure Muslims in the state come out en masse to vote for candidates that will enhance the peace, progress and development of Ogun State.
The Awujale, as President General of the Ogun State Muslim Council, was represented by a Vice President-General, Otunba AbdulFatahi Arowolo.
He said Muslims should not consider political apathy as an option in the 2023 general elections as the stake is high to ensure their rights and interests are adequately protected.
Representatives from the four divisions – Egba, Yewa, Ijebu and Remo promised to ensure that Muslims exercise their franchise in a more unified and purposeful way during the ongoing political and electoral process.
According to a statement by Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde, Secretary-General, Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC), and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER on Tuesday, the meeting noted that Islam is not against political participation and therefore enjoined faithful to emulate the Prophet, who exhibited high level of leadership skill and political engagement that turned around the fortunes of Saudi Arabia and Muslims around the world.
It resolved that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exemplified this as a Head of State and laid the foundation for political participation, which his rightly guided companions inherited and institutionalised.
“The meeting noted that Islam does not go against political participation and involvement in politics by Muslims and urged all eligible voter – Muslins to exercise their franchise without fear or favour,” Akintunde said.
