There was drama at the Eid Praying Ground at Olokemeji area of Odo Ado, Ado-Ekiti on Friday when Governor Ayo Fayose stormed the place in Muslim regalia with a turban to match.
The governor observed the Eid-el-Kabir prayer with thousands of Muslim faithful and witnessed the slaughtering of the ram by the Grand Imam of Ekiti State who also doubles as the President of League of Imams and Alfas in Southwest, Edo and Delta States, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere
Bello.
The spiritual exercise soon turned political as the Muslims who were impressed with Fayose’s gesture urged him to consider supporting a Muslim to succeed him as governor when his tenure expires on October 15, 2018.
The Imam who praised Fayose, who is a Christian, for dressing in an Islamic way said the governor was fulfilling the injunction of Allah by not discriminating against those who belong to other religions.
Kewulere said: “This dressing shows that the governor is not discriminating against any religion. Your Excellency, your dressing is even in line with Biblical injunctions.
“If you check the book of Zechariah 3:3, the Bible says: “We removed unclean clothes from Joshua, we washed him clean and he was dressed with a clean turban on his head and God’s angel stood by him.
“Our governor, as you wore the Turban on your head, the angel of God is already with you and that is why you are succeeding in all that you do, against all odds.”
Demanding a Muslim successor from Fayose, Kewulere said: “Ekiti is 20 years now and since this its creation; we don’t have a Muslim governor yet. We urge you sir, if any Muslim is interested in the governorship from your party, kindly support him to fulfil his ambition.”
Fayose said he decided to dress like a sheikh on Sallah day because he belongs to everybody in the state irrespective of their religions adding that Muslims voted for him en masse at the last governorship poll.
He said: “I represent everybody irrespective of religious differences. I got elected by everyone’s vote. Choice of religion is free.
“As a leader, appearing in Muslim regalia with a turban is to say that I must be part of everything they Muslims do and make then realise that we all one family. I will also ensure that all their demands today are met.”
Promising to fulfil the desires of the Muslims in his best possible way, Fayose urged the Islamic clerics to always tell the leaders the truth and preach values of justice and equity.
Fayose who said that religious leaders wield more influence on the people than government officials or political leaders, urged them to use such influence to reorientate the people towards maintain love, peace, justice and equity for all.
He added: “Muslims are very peculiar people and Islam is not known for violence. I therefore urge all Muslims to abide by the doctrine of the religion and ensure that they live in harmony with everybody.
“We have same blood flowing in our veins and are first all human beings before we chose our religion. So, God in us is more important than the religion. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
“I therefore enjoin them to continue to live in peace for the collective growth of our land, our nation. We will continue to work together so that this country remains one, indivisible but founded on justice and equity.”
–
Source: Nation
