Election 2023: Islamic scholar urges positive attitude among Nigerians

RENOVATED Islamic scholar and preacher, Dr. Dawood Amoo Alaga, has urged Nigerians, especially Muslims, to vote this month’s presidential and National Assembly elections and subsequent governorship and other elections in March with a approach with a positive attitude.

He called on potential voters to avoid discouragement and exercise their suffrage on election days, just as he called on candidates, from the President to the House of Representatives, to purge themselves of impure intentions.

Amoo Alaga spoke on Sunday in Ibadan, Oyo State, at a public lecture titled “2023 General Elections and the Role of the Ummah,” organized by the Muslim community of Anfani, Imalefalafia, Ososami and their environs.

The event was chaired by the Aare Musulumi of Ibadanland, Alhaji Monsuru Adiamo, who was represented by the Oyo State Coordinator of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO), Alhaji Dawud Afolabi.

It was attended by community members, other residents of Ibadan and politicians, including a former Secretary of the Government of Oyo State and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Oyo South Senatorial District, Sharafadeen Alli, and the candidate of the party in Ibadan North. – West/South West Federal Constituency, Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, as well as the Accord candidate in Ibadan South West Constituency II, Wahab Ashiru, who was represented by Mr. Jimoh Olaosebikan.

The politicians took the opportunity to interact with the public and inform them of their plans for the people if voted on.

The Vice President and Secretary of the Ibadan Muslim Community, Alhaji Abubakri Olasupo and Dr. AbdulHakeem Raji, represented the chairman, Alhaji Bayo Oyero, at the event.

The vice president of the Muslim community of Anfani, Imalefalafia, Ososami and their entourage, Mr. Ismail Hamzat, said the lecture was organized to sensitize the members of the community and the entire Islamic ummah to fully prepare them for the upcoming elections .

Noting that Nigerians are currently facing difficulties on many fronts, Amoo Alaga said that citizens need to get their act together and vote for candidates who can bring stability to the system.

The cleric urged the participants, especially the Muslims among them, to clear their reason for seeking public office and advised them to avoid do-or-die politics.

He said: “The 2023 general election is important for Nigeria and Nigerians. All of us, regardless of our faith, must be involved because we want this country to be stabilized. If the country is not stabilized, each of us is vulnerable. To avoid this, it is important that each of us makes a decision to vote.

“I appeal to all Muslims and non-Muslims to ensure that we participate in the elections as the country is going through many difficulties.

“Some Muslims are not even interested in voting, and some clerics are even campaigning against voting.

“Islam allows the Muslim to participate in whatever is legitimate in his immediate environment. So it is important that such clerics who preach that Muslims should not participate in the elections should reconsider because there are so many benefits of our participation.

“Everything we do depends on the government. If we have a bad government, we are ready. So, each of us should participate in the elections.”