Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Determined to engender and ensure good governance and even development across Ogun State, the Muslim community in the state has set hthe agenda for governorship candidates in the coming election.
At a three-day intensive session with governorship candidates held at the Egba Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta, the state capital, the community presented and promoted a five-point agenda. which included open government participation; productive education; enterprise economy; healthcare delivery; sub-urban and rural renewal, water production, value-oriented social infrastructure and adequate security. The issues formed the basis for interaction with the Muslim community, which culminated in resolutions signed by the governorship candidates.
Candidates invited to interact with the Ogun State Muslim community were Ridwan Oduneye of the Peoples’ Party of Nigeria (PPN), Gboyega Nasir Isiaka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dimeji Bankole of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Hon. Abdulkabir Akinlade of Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Segun Odegbami of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Senator Buruji Kashamu of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sina Kawonise of YES Party and Rotimi Paseda of Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Ironically, only four of the candidates honoured the invitation. These are Oduneye (PPN), Isiaka (ADC), Bankole (ADP) and Oluseyi Gabriel Olufade of the Alliance of Democracy (AD). The latter was not formally invited but he got news of the interaction and attended.
In his welcome address, chairman at the event, Professor Tajudeen Gbadamosi, described the interactive session as first of its kind in the history of Ogun State, explaining that the programme provided a platform for Muslims to contribute to national development.
Gbadamosi added that the heart-to-heart discussion and effort were part of the renaissance of Muslims and Islam in Ogun State.
“The leadership of Ogun State Muslim Community initiated the dialogue with prominent governorship candidates in the state ahead of the 2019 general election. This becomes imperative, as Muslims are divinely mandated to participate in the process of good governance, while this equally confers responsibility on Muslim leadership to orientate their followers in this regard,” he pointed out.
In his interaction with the Muslims, the governorship candidate of PPN, Ridwan Oduneye, promised to give priority to moral education as a way of addressing many challenges confronting the state.
Oduneye promised to adopt the public-private partnership (PPP) model at revamping the education, and health sectors.
The governorship candidate of ADC, Isiaka, on his part, assured the Muslim community of his resolve to give them a sense of belonging, if elected as the governor of Ogun State.
Isiaka, whose programme was premised on what he termed “Seven Steps to Abundance,” promised not to renege on his promises to make life more abundant for the people of Ogun State, adding that the Muslim community was a formidable pillar in Ogun State.
In his own submission, the governorship candidate of ADP, Bankole, said his antecedents as the Speaker of the House of Representatives would speak volumes of his capability and capacity to move Ogun State to the greater heights.
Bankole, who narrated how he had benefitted immensely from Islam and Muslims, said his government would immediately embark on measures to fully address all problems stalling the development of the state.
In his own engagement with the Muslim community, the governorship candidate of AD, Olufade, said he would bring his years of experience in private and public life to turn around the fortunes of the state.
Olufade, who is in his 30s, pledged to carry the Muslim community along in his government through periodic engagement and appointments of qualified Muslims into his cabinet, if elected as the governor of Ogun State.
The session was graced by eminent Muslim leaders, including Chief Imam of Egba, Ijebu, Yewa and Remoland. Others include General Secretary, Ogun State League of Imams and Alfas, Sheik Tajudeen Mustapha Adewunmi, General Secretary, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Dr. Abdu-Salaam Abdulfatah; Sheik Abdul-Rasheed Mayaleke; Alhaji Nurudeen Sodipe; Ahaji Lateef Oridota; Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde, Prof. A.A. Arigbabu; Navy Capt. Rasheed Raji (rtd), Dr. Rabiu Adeneye Kusimo; Imam Shile Rufai; Prof. S.A. Tella; Prof. L.O. Sanni; Prof. Mujahid Adelekan, Alhaja R.A. Leshi; Prof. (Mrs) Sulaiman; Alhaji Korede Lawal, and Prof. T.G.O. Gbadamosi.