‘Gov. Makinde has always recognized Muslims’— Bayo Lawal tells Oke-Ogun league of Imams & Alfas

The acting governor of Oyo state, Barrister Adebayo Abdul-raheem Lawal has reaffirmed that Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has always recognized league of imams and Alfas with his love for Islam. 

Lawal stated this on Wednesday while playing host to league of Imams and Alfas from the 10 local governments in Oke Ogun who had come to his Bashorun home in ibadan to express their congratulations on his recent appointment as the deputy governor of Oyo state. 

He said Governor Seyi Makinde had always responded when the issue of Islam was brought up and that his love for Islam had also inspired him to construct a mosque at Iwo road.

MOUTHPIECE NGR understands that he said this in response to the League of Imams’ appeal to be carried along at every opportunity from government. 

The league of Imams had claimed they were not included in the Oke-Ogun list for the recent Technical scholarship for Muslims. 

They pleaded with the government to include them in hajj slots as well as a brand bus in the promotion of Islam while acknowledging that no government has been as interested about their concerns since the league of imams and Alfas in Oyo State was established as the Makinde led administration.

In his response, the acting governor, Bayo Lawal explained the policy taken by the government to select the scholarship recipients from each local government. He promised them that they would be taken into consideration when the governor arrived. 

“When it comes to the bus and Hajj, I cant promise you anything, but I can assure you that I would let the governor know when he got back. 

Lawal continued by listing some of the governor’s contributions to Islam in Oyo State and said that he has also been defending Islam’s interests for some time through a number of discrete actions.

He spoke about some of his services to the Muslim community and the ongoing construction of the Housing Corporation mosque, among other things. 

He asked the imams to educate individuals who have been partaking in a campaign of slander without taking note of what Allah said in the holy Quran regarding people who are depriving their Muslim brothers of his religion. 

“I wasn’t even the slightest bit moved when they launched their smear campaign. Furthermore, I can recall saying at the Oja Oba Mosque that even though I am a lawyer and politician, I am not qualified to serve as an imam. However, I am ready to queue behind imams. 

“The Chief Imam of Iseyin, for whom I prayed behind him for many years, is here. Ordinary people have not done what I have done for Islam, but I don’t draw attention to my services to Islam”, he said.

The head of the League of Imams and Alfas praised Bayo Lawal for being a pious Muslim who doesn’t promote his faith for financial gain or recognition in his vote of gratitude. 

The group insisted that there was every reason for them to express their gratefulness to Governor Seyi Makinde and to rejoice in God’s goodness. They asked God to guide and remain with him indefinitely.

Among top government functionaries at the prayer include Oyo State PDP Chairman, Dayo Ogungbenro, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Alhaja Kafilat 𝕆𝕝𝕒𝕪𝕚𝕨𝕠𝕝𝕒, commissioner for special duties, Alhaja Fausat Sanni, S.A on Culture and Tourism, Akeem Ige, S.A Diaspora, Hon. Funmi Arulogun and the Imam of Bayo Lawal’s residence, Special adviser on intervention, Akindayo, and the Imam of Oyo Deputy Governor’s house, Alhaji Abdul Jelil Abdul Rauf.