PAG, an acronym for the Political Awareness Group, with the corporate registration as Patriots Advancement for Good Leadership, has cautioned the public, stakeholders, and key political and government players in Oyo State against actions and narratives capable of causing disunity within the religious communities across Oyo State.
Noting the recent actions and unguarded statements that tend to distort the religious and political calmness of Oyo state, PAG is mandated to call for caution amongst key political actors.
PAG during the continuous engagement amongst the Ummah, views the unguarded, political threat of *”WET E”* by the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Engr Seyi Makinde during the political summit recently held in Ibadan, and His Excellency’s inappropriate narration at the farewell programme for Oyo State intending pilgrims of 2026 Hajj as highly sensitive statements that could lead to chaos if not well managed. The Organisation notes that the Hajj farewell remark was deliberately designed to serve as a precursor for the Governor’s disregard for the fair and equitable agitation for a Muslim Governor in Oyo State by 2027 coupled with the obnoxious portrayal of Muslims in the ruling party as lacking in commitment to the state and competence to govern the state. An assertion that is entirely FALLACIOUS based on statistical evidence. PAG forthwith advised the Governor to be more cautious about his public statements and avoid being highly disdainful as well as provocative.
PAG, appraising the recent political landscape and actions, cautions political actors and public figures who are making a deliberate attempt to polarise the polity by pretence, deceit, and misrepresentations of facts. The state is not populated by ignoramuses, it is a state of the wise, by the wise, and wants a government for the wise. The unity and strength of the state are being threatened by those who have been benefiting from the peaceful co-existence of the people who now arrogate power to themselves to deny and determine who leads the state in the future.
PAG further clarifies that the leadership of the Ummah across all states is not involved in the internal politics of the twenty-two political parties and will allow them to conclude on the nominations of their candidates without any interference. However, it is believed that the multiculturalism, multi-religiousity, and multiplicity of interests of the people will guide the political parties in the choice of their candidates who are expected to be highly competent and indeed loyal to the good people of Oyo State as they race to the final phase of their primaries.
Pursuant to the conclusion of the nomination processes of all the registered 22 political parties, the Muslim Ummah is urged to await mutual consultations before the leadership of the Ummah concludes decisions at the appropriate time in the best interest of the Ummah while the existing cordiality and cooperation among faith-based organisations in the state will all be put into action.
PAG further advises people to disregard a news report of some Muslim organisations being led by a non-muslim to the Grand Imam of Oyo State noting that a neighbour can’t lead children to their father. The various Islamic groups mentioned have denounced being part of the team led by the Grand Imam of Oyo State, Sheikh Abubakri Abdul-Ganiyy Agbotomokekere.
The leadership of NASFAT, FOMWAN, and Ahmadiyya in Oyo State have denied being part of or delegating anyone to such engagement with the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, and have also warned that anyone found misrepresenting their various organisations will be seriously made to face the law. We further advise faceless organisations masquerading as Muslim bodies to stop such acts and be willing to be part of the unified Muslim Community in the various states. The Muslims will adopt the most Islamic, civil, constitutional and peaceful negotiation means to get their rights.
PAG further notes that there exists a brotherly and peaceful bond between the Muslim and Christian leadership in the various states while the leadership of the Oyo State Christian Association of Nigeria has remained a dependable and uncompromisable ally standing firmly with the 2019 spiritual accord while constantly assuring the Muslim leadership in Oyo State of the fulfilment.
PAG wishes to further advise those actors seeking to gain political footage to be mindful of endangering the peace and bond that the Inter-Religious Committee has built over the years in the various states.
PAG cautions against attempts by individuals to misappropriate the collective voice of the Muslim Ummah for political purposes, stressing that support for any political aspiration remains a personal choice and right of individuals, and should not be misrepresented as the officially coordinated position of the Muslim community which will be adequately discussed and communicated amongst the Ummah at the appropriate time.
PAG, acting in consonance and with the permission of all leaders of the Muslim Ummah in Oyo State, warns unauthorised persons from arrogating to themselves the authority to mobilise, direct, or purportedly lead the Muslim community or Islamic organisations on sensitive political matters without broad consultation with unambiguous Muslim leadership structures and other relevant Groups in the various states.
PAG hereby confirms that the Muslim Ummah in Oyo State and the other states possesses a leadership hierarchy and a long-standing tradition of consultation, mutual respect, and peaceful engagement, which must not be undermined by premature political activities capable of creating unnecessary tension or division.
PAG therefore advises stakeholders and political actors to exercise restraint and avoid heating the polity unnecessarily, warning that careless narratives, premature agitations and unhealthy rivalry could negatively impact the peaceful and cordial relationship existing between Muslims and Christians in the state. The united leadership of the Ummah will, at the appropriate time, consult and make decisions towards advising the Ummah and good people of Oyo State in lieu of the 2027 elections.
PAG reiterates that Muslim leaders are not politicians and would, at the appropriate time, collectively communicate their position in the overall interest of peace, justice, fairness, unity, and societal stability.
The Muslim body urges all parties to protect the longstanding religious harmony in Oyo State and avoid actions capable of mismanaging the trust and peaceful coexistence that we among both faith communities over the years.
In conclusion, PAG wishes Muslims all over Nigeria and around the world ‘Eid Mubarak’ in advance. We pray Allah makes us to witness the celebration in good health and abundant wealth, Amin.
