By Bukola Hameed
With the 2023 general election less than three weeks from now, The Muslim Congress, TMC, Oyo state has organised prayer for free, fair and peaceful elections in Nigeria.
The Oyo state Waali (Coordinator), Alh. Engr Daud Oladosu urged Nigerians to cast their votes for the right person that will not only bring about the democratic dividends to the people, but one who is God fearing.
Speaking during the Congress’ monthly prayer, Adhkaar, at As-Sabaaq College, Bodija, Ibadan on Sunday, the Waali prayed for the peaceful conduct of the Nigerian general election in February and March.
“For us to achieve peace before, during and after the elections in February and March, everybody must perform their civic responsibilities by partaking in the process to appoint a leader. Whoever desires good governance must play his role as a bonafide citizen.
Our attitudes have to change for better, as God will not change the condition of a people except they are resolute to change in themselves. Peaceful election is a must have this time. This must begin from the smallest unit of the society. Likewise, every Nigerian needs to return to Allah and be fervent in their prayers for good leadership”, he concluded.
The Waali stated that our prayer point should be targeted at good leaders who are richly blessed with integrity and capacity to take the country to an enviable height, and God’s intervention in all our affairs.
Meanwhile, the chief Imaam of Fountain University, Osogbo, Sheikh Sirajudeen Bakrin said Nigeria belonged to all of us, and as such we should do everything possible to ensure peaceful coexistence. He maintained that the choice of good leaders is a function of our collective responsibility.
Imaam Sirajudeen said, “We should, as a matter of duty, participate in the process to choose the next set of leaders that will govern our country. As citizens, we must be ready to vote credible candidates who combine integrity and capacity to perform. The Police and other security agencies have significant role to play to ensure credible, free and fair election. In the same vein, our journalists must not heat up the polity; they should avoid fake news, sensationalism and propaganda capable of breeding acrimony, hate and violence”.
The Imaam thereafter urged the election umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2023 for sustainability of democracy.