Members of the Muslim Ummah in Oyo State, on Thursday, converged on the Ibadan central praying ground at Yidi, Agodi, to beseech Allah for peace and security before, during and after the 2019 general election.
The prayer session, organised by the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawud Akinola, in conjunction with the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdul Ganiyy Abubakri Agbotomokekere and the Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS), was also attended by top Muslim personalities, including the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Mutiu Agboke.
Sheikh Agbotomokekere, who presided over the prayer, described Allah as the ultimate provider of peace and security and begged Him to favour the people of Oyo State and Nigerians in general as the nation looks to open a new chapter in its political life in 2019.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Mutiu Agboke, said the purpose of the gathering was for religious stakeholders to pray to Almighty Allah for peaceful elections next year.
According to him, it is not for the Muslim community alone to, as a matter of necessity, be fervent in their prayers to Allah for peace in Nigeria “as we have ahead of us, the 2019 general election,” Christians, too, should have convergences of faithful and groups to seek God’s intervention in the nation’s current political campaign.
“If we think we know how to do it, it is not enough; we should call on Almighty God to intervene,” Agboke, who, however, warned that there would be no room for any form of manipulation in the next elections, stressed.
“We are determined to be one of the best election management bodies in Africa and, indeed, the world. We are appealing to Nigerians to believe in INEC as we are ready to deliver in our mandate,” the Oyo REC said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Akinola said it was imperative to pray Allah to make the forthcoming general election go peacefully, hence the Thursday gathering.
“Oyo State citizens are law-abiding people and we don’t want anything to shatter the peace and order in the state, especially not the next general election. We want peace and security. We want good governance and we pray that Allah will grant our wish and make everything go smoothly come 2019,” the leader of Muslims in Yorubaland said.
