The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde has challenged his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, to name one thing he has done for the Muslim community before he showed interest in the governorship race.
In a statement from his campaign organisation signed by his spokesman, Prince Dotun Oyelade, Makinde said that if Adelabu names one, he will name a dozen.
He regretted the unfounded and despicable lies being spread that he hates Muslims and will stop the use of Hijab, cancel Hijra holiday or return schools to Missionaries when the reverse is the case.
His words: “Where was Adelabu when I started organising my popular Omituntun Annual Ramadan Lecture six years ago to promote Islam and peaceful co-existence? Where was he when, for several years now, I have been sponsoring Muslims to Mecca?”
Makinde said that while Adelabu did not make up his mind which religion he actually wanted to be identified with, “I have been adding value to the propagation of both religions without any fuss even though I am a Christian with a devoted and renowned Muslim deputy, Alhaji Abdul Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan who has contributed to the growth of Muslims and Islam.“
He asked rhetorically, “Bayo, we know ourselves, how many months ago did you actually decide to identify with Islam?”
Makinde admitted that the APC candidate reserves the right to choose his path in life but stressed that lies and mudslinging is a sin before God.
He stated that he had also attended several Islamic oriented meetings at instances of Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land, Alhaji Daud Akinola, League of Imams and Alfa, Muslim Association of Nigeria and NASFAT where he tabled before them his blueprint for governing Oyo State which was well received.
He reiterated that people should stop mixing religion with politics. Instead, they should look for a leader who can address grinding poverty which doesn’t recognise anyone based on religion leanings.
“I believe I have the capacity to rescue the state from the brink of collapse” Makinde concluded.
