The League of Imams and Alfas in Ondo state has urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to stop the marginalization of Muslims in the state.
It said the recent appointments made by Aiyedatiwa fell short of the expectations of all fair-minded, just, God-fearing, and objective good people of the state including the Imams.
The Ondo Imams and Alfas said previous administrations in the state strategically and critically marginalized Muslims and reduced them to sub-human beings.
It advised Aiyedatiwa to avoid anyone, group or association, no matter their religious affiliation, that might suggest to him not to listen to the Muslim community.
The chairman of the League of Imams and Alfas in the state, Sheikh Ahmad Aladesawe, spoke when the group paid Aiyedatiwa a condolence visit.
Sheikh Aladesawe noted that all efforts to correct the lopsidedness by previous administrations proved abortive.
“We as elders are disturbed and our children are restless. Our youth are not happy, but we have to calm them with the assurance that we will meet with you and that we believe you will correct the lopsidedness.
He said: “Your excellency, the Muslim community of Ondo state is not happy with the tide of your appointments. You have made four cardinal appointments after your swearing-in, and all are people of your faith with no single Muslim. Are you saying you cannot find a Muslim in your party cerebral enough to accept even one of those appointments? Are you saying the Muslims are so short of technocrats and intellectuals who can man those offices?
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“Ondo state is not a Christian state and any government that quests for peace, stability and development must recognise the religious diversity of our dear state. All the Muslim youth organisations including this August body wrote to you pleading with your excellency to pick one of our best as your deputy in order to aid you in the administration of this state but alas without any explanation or indulgence, you decided to pick your choice and jettison the over two million Muslims of Ondo State.
“The case of our children in public schools is even worse. They are being denied their basic fundamental constitutional religious rights. They are not allowed to attend the Jumu’ah, they are denied the use of hijab and the worst, they are being forced to learn Christian Religious Studies without the permission and consent of us, their parent, because the government of Ondo State has strategically refused to employ Islamic Religious knowledge teachers in the last 21years.”
The Ondo Muslim leaders also kicked against the return of schools to faith-based organisations.
They warned Aiyedatiwa that his administration might be distracted if government property were gifted to churches.
The Imams called for the declaration of a state of emergency on the recruitment of teachers for the state Primary and secondary schools including the provision of adequate members of staff for the teaching of English, French, Arabic Languages, and Islamic Religious Studies.
Aiyedatiwa explained that decisions on appointments were made based on political considerations rather than religious affiliations.
He assured that future appointments would take into account the diverse interests of the state’s population.
The governor reassured the Muslim community of ongoing efforts to address teacher shortages and ensure the recruitment of Islamic teachers.
