AS news continue to filter in regarding the recently conducted All Progressives Congress, (APC) guber primary election in Oyo state, which produced the immediate past Deputy Governor, Operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Mr Bayo Adelabu; his religious background, however demands proper clarification ahead of the forthcoming polls.
Checks unearthed that the Pace Setter’s state housed Muslims, Christians and Traditional worshipers, thus the need for proper religious identity in regards of governorship election.
Many believed that Bayo Adelabu was a converted Christian, until the ‘sudden’ addition of ‘Abdulwaheed’ to his name purposely for election.
According to a family source, the religious identity of Adelabu is nebulous.
Relying on the press statement I obtained from the Peoples’ Awareness Initiatives (PAI) under the aegis of Muslim Community, Oyo State issued recently, the group expressed its sympathetic pleasure on account of Chief Adelabu’s victory at the primary poll.
The statement stated that Muslims in the state are at cross road orchestrated by the sullenness and cloudy nature of Bayo Adelabu’s religious identity.
The group argued that Chief Adelabu has hitherto bizarrely conceived to be a Muslim by introducing himself as ‘Abdul Waheed’ while he was declaring his ambition to run for the most exalted seat in the state, observing that being a Muslim transcends mere name bearing.
The statement stressed that “Muslims in Oyo state would be more pleased and assuaged provided that Chief Adelabu can take further practical steps to prove that he is really a Muslim just like all of us are expecting him to be one.
“This persuasion is not only necessary but highly imperative as keeping us (Muslims) in such a dingy and grimy scenario as far as his true religious faith is concerned signals shrewd practise on the part of Chief Adelabu which (without mincing word) would be obnoxious and insupportable.
“The need for Chief Adelabu to practically prove his religious faith as a true Muslim is very vital as such actions determine who his running mate would be, Muslim or Christian?
“The importance of this persuasion is to arouse the consciousness of the so-called king makers to the attendant repercussion of this uncleared religious identity for the Oyo State APC in a general election. In fact, this call does not only beneficial to the Muslims but also to the Christians in the state”, its continued.
Interestingly, if peradventure, Chief Adelabu happens to be a Muslim, will it be justificatory and balanced to have Muslim deputy. will CAN accept it?, the statement questioned.
On the other hand, if he turned to be a Christian, will it be fair and balanced to choose a Christian deputy for him (Christian -Christian ticket?, the statement observed further.
This clamour, as reliably gathered was simply to avert the lopsidedness in political office bearing as well as religious imbroglio on both sides since religion issue is very key in our political affairs and history considering the heterogenous nature of Nigerian state.
Furthermore, it is germane to add that some APC sympathisers in the state who are also conscious of their religions are seriously enmeshed in a quagmire over this indecipherable religion identity of Adelabu.
The press statement, howey urged, Bayo Adelabu to as a matter of urgency clarify his ‘true religious identity’.
“We, as Muslims in the state would be greatly happy if Chief Adelabu can thoroughly identify himself with Islam and as a practising Muslim since this will not only put to rest the lingering controversy, but also afforded him the opportunity to be counted among the inmates of Al-Janah (Paradise).
“At this juncture, we wish to state unequivocally clear that this persuasion and vociferation do not in anyway mean any form of endorsement nor indicates any support for the candidature of Chief Adelabu while we stand resolute with our principles and policies as far as lending our supports to any candidate is concerned.
“We stand with competence and credibility while religious issue is also sacrosanct”, the statement concluded.
Aside this, there are many untold stories about the Governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adebayo Adekola Adelabu
Ademola Bakare writes from Ibadan
To be continued
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