By Jeleel Olawale
An Islamic group known as Concerned Muslim Awareness Initiative Ile-Ife branch has organised prayer for candidates of the All Progressives Congress in Ile-Ife and Ijesaland.
The group organised a-day seminar and prayer with the theme; Towards Enhancing Successful Elections and Better Representation. The group prayed for the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections in the country.
According to the organiser of the group, Mallam AbdulAzeez Oyebode, said the group seeks for God intervention in the forthcoming general elections to be peaceful before, during and after the elections.
He said the group decided to organize the prayer irrespective of religion affiliation of candidates of All Progressives Congress from president to the state assembly. The group which prays for Bola Hammed Tinubu, APC presidential candidate, Hon. Israel Famurewa and Engr. Benjamin Kayode Adereti both for senate and house of representatives.
Speaking at the prayer, the guest lecturer, Mallam AbdulAzeez Oyebode urged muslims and non muslims to awake and do their civic responsibility, saying this is another opportunity to choose for themselves. “As a muslim, there is need to participate in civic duty as Nigeria belongs to all of us.
“We can’t use religion to determine who to lead us but candidates with leadership qualities. We should to choose who will represent us well in all political offices. We should vote for candidates of our choice. This is not issue of religion but quality leadership and think beyond religion”.
Also, in a separate interview with NewsDirect, Mr Jelili Adeyemi, representative of Hon. Israel Famurewa described the programme as a good one, adding that this type of programme should continue because there is need to always for God intervention in the country and to have people who have fear of God at heart in position of authority.
“Hon. Israel Famurewa is a God fearing person. He is devoted to God and likes God activities. He believes in God and usually worship God. I am confident if voted for, he will not disappoint his people, they will enjoy him.
“He performed credibly well when he was in the house of representatives for eight years. His achievements cannot be quantified and no representatives has beaten his record of achievements in the history of Ijesa South Federal constituency.
“This type of prayer should be a continuous one. He likes to invest in religion activities. I know if given chance he would do more. Some people could not sponsor a bill in four years which is pathetic and this is a bad attitude”.
Similarly, Mr Adeniyi Molato said prayer is a God ordained one, as the two candidates are God sent. “The muslims felt that there is need to organise prayer for two candidates and the presidential candidate, Bola Hammed Tinubu. It is not an ethnic or religion bigotry one. This is not about religion differences. It shows level of understanding among muslims and christians.
“A situation where muslim group organised programme for christian candidates it shows level of understanding and tolerance between the two religions.
“This is a matter of competent and success. This type of prayer should be continued so that we can have peace in our society. I want to urge christians to organize programme like this because religion and politics are not the same.
Adereti has been helping people in the area of empowerment. Electorate should vote for Tinubu and other APC candidates”.
Mr Oyadosu Isaac described the prayer is an important one for the peaceful conduct of 2023 general election in the country, stressing that this type of prayer is what we need for the continuity and survival of our nation. We need prayer at this critical state.
“This is a good omen for our country because we need God intervention in our country. So, muslims can organize prayer for christians likewise christians can pray for muslims. We should see ourselves as one family”.
He therefore urged the organizer of the prayer to continue praying for the country, saying APC is the solution to Nigeria challenges.