Gov Aiyedatiwa Charges Muslims to Participate In Politics
Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa , has urged Muslims to participate actively in politics , either to vote or be voted for and not to see politics as a dirty game against their faith.
He said participating in the political process would facilitate and ease the affairs of Muslims in their quest to develop and enhance their God-given fundamental human rights.
Aiyedatiwa spoke at the Public Da’wah organised by the League of Imams of Akure land with the theme ” Imamship In Islam and Participation In Electoral Process”
He explained that the more the Muslims participate in politics the more the dividends of democracy will be accrued to them for better life.
The Governor who was represented by the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, pointed out that many educated Islamic scholars who supposed to take part in politics refused to do so In using their Islamic knowledge to reshape politics in the state and the country.
While appreciating the faithful for their support towards the recent All Progressives Congress governorship primary election that produced Aiyedatiwa as the party’s candidate for November election, he sought for more of their prayer for him to succeed.
He described the programme organised by the League of Imams in Akure land as unique and solution provider to challenges facing islam and political system in the country which was appreciated by the ruling APC in the state.
Delivering his lecture, Shaykh Dr. Sirajudeen Bilal Asra said the Imamship must not based on sentiment but qualities which include good character , better understanding of Al-Qur’an and ability to accommodate people.
He emphasized that Imam should be given full control of his office and exercise role of Imam which must not be decided by his followers or the society he belongs in contrary to Islamic injunction.
According to him ” Imam should not be ridiculed in forcing him to resign his Imamship as Allah will purnish any jamaan (followers) responsible for such development”
Imam, he noted should teach society the Islamic injunction for the society to better for it.
The lecturer emphasized the need for Muslims to participate actively in the politics of the society they belong because they know what is right and wrong.
He stressed the need for all the followers of Imams to accord them respect as the position is fragile, complex with huge task of intermediary between the rich and poor for their welfarism.
Bilal Asra further explained that muslim who is criminal in Aqidah ( criminal in creed) or nonentity cannot be appointed over the affairs of muslim in a society.
While urging Islamic scholars to educate their followers on the need to participate in Nigeria’s electoral process, the Guest Lecturer said Muslims’ participation in politics would also preserve the identity and protection of Islamic symbols in politics and governance.
He added that Muslims need to join and become active members of various political parties for the development of society and not purposely to become politicians .
In his address, the Chief Imam of Akureland, Alhaji AbdulHakeem Yayi-Akorede, who said the Governor Aiyedatiwa deserves more prayer from muslim community in the state to succeed and overcome all challenges facing him.
He warned Muslims not to join public in condemning the governor or his government as no one has the right to do so to a performing leader.
The cleric , therefore, sought for God’s intervention in all his endeavours and his administration to lift the state to the greater height.
Earlier, the Chairman , Special Duty, for league of Imam Akure land Imam Ismail AbdulNafil said the lecture became necessary to improve the knowledge of the Imams and to sensitized Muslim faithfuls on the appointment and removal of Imam where need be.
He also stated that it was aimed at encouraging Muslim faithfuls on the importance of the gubernatorial election do that they can participate actively through their votes to emerge who will give adequate recognition to the Muslim Ummah
