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Notable Islamic clerics, political office holders and traditional rulers in Yorubaland have enjoined Nigerians not to allow international politics to use religion to divide the country.
They also advised Nigerians to continue to live in peace, harmony as they have been living in the past.
They made these declarations in their separate remarks at the opening of a 3-day conference for religious, political and traditional leaders organised by League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland (Rabitatul Aimmat Wal Ulamai Fi Biladi Yoruba).
The conference was attended by Islamic clerics, political office holders and traditional rulers from the six states that make up of South West geopolitical zone.
The opening ceremony with the theme “Strengthening peaceful co-existence among monarchs, religious and political leaders” which was held on Saturday in Ikeja Lagos was attended by the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila who was represented by Hon. Lukman Oyewole Lawal, Special Adviser on Finance to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abas.
It was also attended by President, League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, Chairman Board of Trustee, League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Sheikh Habeebullah Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory, General Secretary, League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Sheikh Mustapha Olawale Hossein Doak, Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola and Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola Akinola.
Others are; Professor Noah Lawal-Jinadu from Lagos State University, Professor Lukman Awawiye from Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti and Professor Kamil Oloso among others.
Gbajabiamila while addressing the gathering, noted that international politics is trying to use religion to divide the country.
He also advised religious leaders not to allow themselves to be used to cause more division in the country.
He said, “This conference is coming at the good time, religious institutions have come stay as a pillar of leadership structure in Nigeria. It plays a key role in governance, peaceful co-existence. Rabita as a organisation has well entrenched itself in the South West in ensuring that they galvanising support for the government and promote good governance and ensure promotion of programmes and activities.
“At a time like this, we can see international politics trying to use religion to divide us as a nation, we can see a lot of innuendos going on. So, it is a very good initiative from the Rabita to plan this conference at this critical time to send that signal of peace, love and harmony that have existed in Nigeria over the years and to keep sending signal that they cannot use religion to divide us.
“We have lived peacefully for many years and the two dominant religions in Nigeria, Christianity and Islam have been on the same page for many years. So, yes we have security challenges, we can tackle them. Do not use religion to further divide us or to cause more chaos in our land. So, I salute the leadership of Rabita on behalf of the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila for this laudable initiative.
“I charge them that they should continue, I encourage them to keep sending that message of hope, message of good governance that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given us within the past two and half years. The challenges are enormous but we can see that he is tackling them on daily basis.
“It is critical to keep the conversation about religious harmony in Nigeria, we are using this kind of platform to advise religious leaders not to allow themselves to be used to divide this country or cause crisis or chaos in Nigeria. We should not use religion to divide the country, we should pray for the leaders to succeed to take Nigeria to the promised land”.
Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola while speaking on the essence of the programme noted that the conference was based on three things.
He said, “The essence is to raise awareness on how to leave in a peaceful manner as it was in the past as taught by Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Secondly, there is an external force that there was a genocide in Nigeria which is not true. It is far from the truth.
“There is nothing like genocide in Nigeria, we have been living in peace and harmony for decades and centuries. We don’t see any reason for any country to accuse Nigeria that there was genocide in Nigeria. Third, the election is coming, we need to come together, those are the three things we intended to do in this conference”.
President, League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere in his welcome address noted described peace as a catalyst to development.
He said, “It is our determination to ensure peace and progress of our land. Peace is a catalyst to development of any society. As we approach 2027, there is a need for us to organiser ourselves and remained united. We want to ensure credible elections, to ensure that we elect intentional leaders that will bridge bridges”.
Professor Noah Lawal-Jinadu, Arabic Unit, Foreign Languages Department, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos in his keynote address noted that the Muslims are also victims of arbitrary killings in the country.
He encouraged Muslim to always speak in one voice.
“We are the spiritual and intellectual heirs of the Prophets. Our role is defined by knowledge and wisdom. We have a duty to advise rulers and politicians with courage and wisdom. We must be the voice that echoes the Quranic principle. Muslims have often been the primary victims. To claim otherwise is to ignore reality and verifiable data.
“Let us be clear: These narratives are designed to inflame division and hatred among Nigerians. They are the same tools used to create ISIS, Boko Haram, and other monstrosities — weapons of mass instability deployed by foreign interests to steal resources and undermine sovereignty, sometimes through coups and military invasions.
“The positive pronouncements from World Bank and IMF on our economic policies are indicative that, despite challenges, the administration is on the right track. Therefore, negative Western narratives often
confirm that we are pursuing a path of true sovereignty, which requires our support”.
Alawiye in his paper titled “The foundation: Paradigm of leadership in Islam” urged Nigerians leaders to always lead by example.
He said, “In the paper I traced how Islam teaches leadership, qualities of good leaders. A leader is expected to practice what he preaches. He must be a role model for others to follow.
“In the lecture, I tried to establish that a mosque should not only meant for prayers alone. Even during the period of prophet Muhammad (SAW), the mosque was not only for prayers. Mosque was used for orientation, to train army, it was also used as economic centre”.
