I’ve known Bayo Lawal for over 20 years, we’ll re-elect Makinde— Oyo Supreme Council Chair declares

The chairman of the Oyo state chapter of the Supreme Council, Hon. Ustaz Dapo Yusuf, has declared that Governor Seyi Makinde will be re-elected in the forthcoming governorship election.

He said that he has known his deputy governor, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal tor more than 20 years as a true Muslim.

Yusuf added that the Makinde-led administration has shown more concern for Islamic affairs than any previous government in the state during a meeting on Monday with the deputy governor and members of the supermen council in the ten local governments of Oke-ogun at the residence of the council chairman in Okeho.

He disclosed that the whole Oyo state supreme council, and Oke-ogun in particular, are fully behind the re-election of Governor Seyi Makinde, just as they supported the party’s candidate for the House of Representatives in the last election.

While asking for the Makinde-led administration’s ongoing cooperation on Islamic matters, he made it clear that they have been supporting the current administration since its inception and said that they would be extremely grateful for the government’s acknowledgement in the Omituntun 2.0.

The chairman remarked that they have worked hard and are still working hard, especially for the success of the deputy governor in the coming election, whilst outlining new measures to ensure that Governor Makinde wins with a wide margin on Saturday.

“We welcome you. And we don’t have to waste much of your time again. Be rest assured that we will deliver for you in the upcoming March 11, 2023,” he said.

While responding, Bayo Lawal, the deputy governor, said that the council’s chairman had acted in such a righteous and honest way throughout this process. He also expressed his gratitude for the supreme council’s support of the upcoming election.

“As I said, there are a lot of blatantly falsehoods and black mails circulating during electioneering, but please always check what is delivered to you, especially those that are playing religious card.

“It is nothing more than blatant blackmail. Islam, in my opinion, forbids that. Everyone who declared their intention to run for governor should try to present their scorecard.

“As I am, I am not a noise maker, I am not a rabble rouser. I’ve done a lot for Islamic community but I am happy that true scholars and Muslims are aware of all these. There are many of such that have done even before becoming deputy governor.

As the chairman of the housing corporation, he emphasized that it was simple for him to visit the Bodija Central Mosque, but out of love for Islam and despite the fact that there were numerous churches nearby, he chose to rebuild a larger mosque in the housing corporation quarter as well as the Oja Oba Central Mosque, to which our government was able to contribute adequately.

He wondered why some politicians would launch a campaign of defamation or attempt to use religion when they had done nothing to advance Islamic concerns.

He promised that necessary diligence would be taken to ensure the success of the governor and other PDP house of assembly candidates while pleading with the supreme council members to do so.

While urging the members of the supreme council to ensure the victory of the governor and all PDP house of assembly candidates, he assured that due recognition would be accorded to the council in the Omitutun 2.0.

“Don’t be panic. And don’t fall for their campaign of calumny. This is the season of blackmail. Don’t fall for them. Remain focus. And success is ours,” he added.

Earlier in his remarks, Professor Saheed Abdul Malik, who is the chairman of Pilgrim board urged the entire members of the council to work together in order to reward Governor Makinde with his outstanding performance and especially for his developmental strides in the entire Oyo state.

He said a good leader in government will essentially benefit everyone, noting that all of the achievements of the Makinde-led administration are visible across all zones in terms of infrastructural development, the health and agricultural sectors, as well as the educational sector where he ensured that the LAUTECH campus was also extended to Oke-ogun.

Prof. Malik also highlighted some of the government’s accomplishments in relation to Islamic matters and the governor’s concern for Muslims, as well as the recent approval of three Islamic secondary schools in the Atisbo local government, which was made possible by the deputy governor, and the rebuilding of the Adogba and Omituntun mosques.

In the entourage of the deputy governor include, Chairman of RUWASSA, Najim Omirinde, Mama Arewa; Hon. Ayo Olopoenia; Ibadan Supreme Council excos; political functionaries and host of others.