_Describe It As A Bad Precedent Set For The Incoming Generations_
The Purported endorsement of Gov. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa ,seen as a wicked act, ahead of the governorship poll of November 16 in Ondo State by Muslim leaders (Imams) and critical stakeholders has sparked reactions as many Islamic groups and concerned muslims have questioned their integrity and dignity after dabbling into politics by their unfortunate open declaration of support.
This unpopular decision of these few muslim stakeholders is therefore described as pretty unfortunate and un-islamic by most muslim adherents and the general public considering the ugly state of the nation and the prevailing socio-economic circumstances at hand in Ondo State under Gov. Ayedatiwa’s watch. The disgraceful stance of these wicked muslim leaders ,who without remorse, emphatically with impunity reiterated their previous regrettable endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the Presidential Election of February 2023 is evidently disturbing as it’s a complete distraction and diversion from their core obligations as enshrined in the Holy Q’uran and Hadith.
This purported endorsement by these critical stakeholders without conscience and their blind co-travellers has regrettably deflated their ego and eroded the honour and respect reserved for them particularly Olubaka of Oka-Akoko, HRM, Oba Adebori Adeleye and the entire leadership of Islam led by the Chief Imam of Owo, Sheikh Imam Ahmed. O Aladesawe. To many people, this annoying declaration is believed to be another wicked ploy to invite further suffering and sorrow on the good people of Ondo State who are currently groaning under the excruciating pains brought upon them by the APC leadership .
It’s not out of place to pray for leadership of the nation or Ondo state as muslim leaders; what is uncivilized, demeaning and agonizing is the disgraceful manner by which some innocent muslims are clandestinely dragged into their ploy to siphon the state government particularly Ayedatiwa with their pecuniary antics. Evidently they have only spoken for themselves and interests ,and never for all good muslims in the sunshine state who are deliberately, with hatred, left in the lurch to suffer untold hardship.
We are aware that HE, Hon. Alfred Agboola Ajayi ,the PDP governorship flag has physically reached out to some of these muslim leaders pleading with them to play their fatherly roles as unbiased umpires in the governorship election so as to genuinely ensure that the state is not deliberately plunged into political impasse just like in 1983 as election should not be a do-or-die affair. Despite the pledge and promises made to play their fatherly roles with honour as enshrined in the Holy Quran and Hadith, they have blatantly failed to keep the Amana ( Promise ) which is the hallmark of Islam legacy. It’s a pity !
Alhaji Ogbera , the State Assistant Treasurer of the PDP and the State Coordinator, Muslim Intellectual Forum (MIF) who currently serves as the Chairman, Islamic Matters in Agbo/FessyWest Campaign Council joined by other prominent muslim leaders in the PDP as well as other noble Muslim Societies and concerned muslim brothers and sisters in the state has openly condemned the heartless decision of the supposed leaders of Islam who should be shining examples to their followers but have greedily sold their birthrights for pots of porridge .
One would have even expected the leadership of the League of Imams and Alfas and other Islamic societies in the state to aggressively and unconditionally demand for quality representation of muslims in public offices or for more political appointments apart from other rewarding considerations for muslims, instead our supposed leaders indirectly turned themselves into campaign mouth pieces for Ayedatiwa and APC in the state . Our expectation is that they will always speak truth to power and frontally call for immediate alleviation of the suffering in the land and redress of the regrettable marginalization of their constituency-Islam. This task was cruelly abandoned.
What a deceit !
We therefore as concerned muslim leaders in the PDP and concerned individuals in other muslim societies distance and dissociate ourselves from this unpopular purported endorsement of Gov. Ayedatiwa for governor . It’s embarrassing, irrational and disgraceful !
In spite of the huge revenue allocation accrued running to one hundred and sixty-two billion naira (#162B) from federal allocation and the rising internally generated revenue (IGR) profile over the past eleven months aside the one billion and two hundred million naira( #1.2B) security vote every month,Gov. Lucky Ayedatiwa has underperformed having nothing to show for it ; instead recently he wickedly embarked on capital flight with the award of phony contracts and white elephant projects leaving the sunshine state and her unlucky citizens impoverished on a daily basis.
Rather than speaking truth to power being the most important obligation of our religious leaders, they have wickedly teamed up with Ayedatiwa,a tyrant to further plunder the state , waste our collective patrimony and turn Ondo State to hobbesian jungle where life is brutish, nasty and short.
This is painful and heartbreaking !
Therefore, we strongly condemn in its entirety the wicked decision of these muslim oligarchy and traditional ruler who have abandoned their core mandates by leaving the path of honour to set a bad precedent for the incoming generations.
We however enjoyed all our muslim umah to disregard the unfortunate purported declaration of support for a regime of tyranny and a man without tangible achievements and go to their various polling units to freely exercise their franchise by voting for the candidate of their choice on Saturday.
As concerned muslims and members of the PDP however, we know that HE, Agboola Ajayi and his running mate Hon. Festus Akingbaso are already tested,tasted and trusted but found to be reliable, dependable ,responsive and responsible having been given responsibilities previously. Their victory at the poll will be the best thing to have happen to our sunshine state if we support them and the PDP with our votes.
As we make yet another mandate with history and destiny, let us not make another mistake. Enough is enough. This is the period to make a great decision that is capable of reclaiming our lost glories in the state and shaping decades and centuries positively for the unborn generations..
Written by:
*Concerned PDP Muslims In Ondo State*
(The Vanguard of Hope)
