Akeredolu to Ondo Muslims: I don’t hate you

*Promises more appointments for Ondo State Muslims

*Aladesawe blames Muslim problem in state on lack of unity

*Baba should say the truth – Source

Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has responded to the report of allegation that he hates Muslims in the state, saying he hates no one but that he is friends to all religions.

Director-General of the Campaign Organisation of the governor during the period that climaxed in the November 25, 2016 keenly contested governorship election in the state, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, in a text message to The DEFENDER on Saturday replied the agitating Muslim Community saying, “The Governor is a friend to all religions and has made it abundantly clear that he will be fair to all according to his oath of office.”

Olabimtan, who was once Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly during the Olusegun Agagu administration, pacified the agitating Muslims by explaining that:

“In the recent appointments, three prominent well known Muslims were among those appointed.  More Muslims will be appointed in subsequent ones,” he said.

In his own response refuting the allegation that leadership of the League of Imams and Alfas were causing setback for the progress of Muslims in the state from getting their rightful positions in government, Chief Imam of Owo and Secretary-General, League of Imams and Alfas, South West, Edo and Delta, Sheikh Ahmed Aladesawe, exonerated the League from blame.

He said the problem was because Muslim groups in Ondo State refused to be united under the umbrella of League of Imams and Alfas and that it was, according to him, also what politicians were using to deprive the Muslims of their rightful place in the political appointments in government of the state.

Aladesawe, in a 10-minute telephone interview with The DEFENDER, said, “Mention those who are agitating and if you can’t mention them you should know that it is against Islam.”

But when he was told that the reporter has no ethical right to reveal his source of information to anybody no matter what, except it is permitted, the Muslim leader continued in a way signifying his acknowledgement of existing agitations among Muslims in the state where is the most senior League of Imas and Alfas official.

He said, “I am not afraid of anybody.  The problem there is because some of our Muslim groups are refusing to unite under the League of Imams and Alfas in the pursuance of our collective rights to government offices.

“If we are not united, can we succeed in anything?  No.  When Papa Yayi Akorede was there, he used his age and position as President-Geneal League of Imams and Alfas to fight for Islam and Muslims in Ondo State and I am saying to you now that I am not afraid of anybody and so, I am going to fight on until the rights of Muslims in Ondo State are given to them without stress,” Aladesawe said.

A source in Akure, when confronted with Aladesawe’s response to the report, said, “He should tell the truth because the League of Imams and Alfas have not fought for the rights of Muslims in Ondo State at all.  That is a fact,” he said.