Sunday ADEPOJU
The Chief Imam of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Oloyede Abdur-Rahmon, has hinted that the political elite will enjoy peace only if they sincerely give people their dues.
Prof. Abdur-Rahmon stated this in Ibadan on Monday after he led Muslims in the two Raka’ah of Eidul Fitr sermon delivered at the University of Ibadan Mosque premises, Ibadan.
Imam Abdur-Rahmon, who also expressed concern over the government’s inaction over ASUU strike shows that things are not well in the country, charged political office holders to always prioritise the citizens’ needs in their dealings so that they can walk peacefully in the society.
The scholar of Arabic and Islamic studies noted that trampling upon people’s rights cannot guarantee any leader a success.
He charged politicians to shun their evil ways as “they did during Ramadan.”
The don described as unfortunate the fact that no good response from the stakeholders in government after three months that university students are out of school because of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.
“Lecturers have been on strike for over three months and no one is talking. That shows that our country is not well,” he said.
Advising Nigerians ahead of the general elections, he noted that the citizens should call on Allah to choose the right leaders who will love them and treat them well.
“As we approach the 2023 elections, you should remember the citizens. If you don’t remember them, you will not be able to walk freely,” he stated.
On what qualities expected of politicians, the scholar noted, “The citizens should be prayerful as people cannot be said to be good by what they say.
“We have tried it in the past and it failed us and that is why we are having these challenges. We should pray to God to give us good leaders.”
The Eid prayer was, among others, attended by a former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja; former Senate Leader and current senator representing Oyo Central senatorial district, Senator Teslim Folarin; former Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu;
former Secretary to Oyo State government, Chief Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli and other notable Muslims in the state.
Kudos to the chief imam for hitting the nail on the head even in the presence of the so called leaders and the law marker.