Soji Ajibola, Ibadan
Secretary-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Oyo State chapter, Shaikh Salaudeen Busairi has cautioned religious leaders against making inflammatory remarks capable of plunging the state into crisis.
NSCIA scribe gave this warning when he paid a courtesy call on the Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Islamic Affairs, Imam Abdul Rasheed AbdulAzeez, in Ibadan on Thursday.
He warned the religious leaders against destroying the existing peace in the state because of their selfish gains, arguing that Governor Makinde has never been found wanting in maintaining a good relationship with Muslims, even though he is a Christian.
According to him, “We should not allow any ulterior sentiment to becloud us from recognising the good deed done by anybody that is what we call truth and fairness in Islam. We should not allow religious sentiment to separate us as religious leaders.”
He also pointed out that Governor Makinde had been demonstrating fairness and a sense of balance among all the religions and that “we can always rely on his leadership prowess.”
He added that there should be mutual cooperation among all religions in the state, even as he appealed to some elders, who he said, always hide under the canopy of religion to fan embers of discord among Muslims to have a re-think.
He then admonished youths in the state irrespective of wherever they find themselves to shun any leader calling for war, saying that, whenever they kindle the fire of war, Allah shall always extinguish it.
In his remarks, the Special Assistant to Governor Makinde on Islamic Affairs, Imam Abdul-Azeez solicited the support of all religious leaders to join hands in moving the state forward.