By Fatima Muraina

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Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has urged Muslims to participate actively in politics, either to vote or vote for, and not see politics as a dirty game.

He said participating in the political process would facilitate and ease the affairs of Muslims in their quest to develop and enhance their fundamental human rights.

Aiyedatiwa spoke at the Public Da’wah organized by the League of Imams of Akureland with the theme “Imamship In Islam and Participation In the Electoral Process”.

He explained that the more Muslims participate in politics, the more the dividends of democracy will be accrued to them for a better life.

The governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, pointed out that many educated Islamic scholars who were supposed to take part in politics refused to do so in using their Islamic knowledge to reshape the politics in the state and the country.

While appreciating the faithful for their support towards the recent All Progressives Congress governorship primary election that produced Aiyedatiwa as the party’s candidate for November’s election, he sought more of their prayers for him to succeed.

He described the program organized by the League of Imams in Akureland as unique and a solution provider to challenges facing Islam and the political system in the country, which was appreciated by the ruling APC in the state.

Delivering his lecture, Shaykh Dr. Sirajudeen Bilal Asra said the Imamship must not be based on sentiment but qualities, which include good character, a better understanding of Al-Qur’an, and the ability to accommodate people.

While urging Islamic scholars to educate their followers on the need to participate in Nigeria’s electoral process, the Guest Lecturer said Muslims’ participation in politics would also preserve the identity and protection of Islamic symbols in politics and governance.

He added that Muslims need to join and become active members of various political parties for the development of society and not purposely to become politicians.

In his address, the Chief Imam of Akureland, Alhaji AbdulHakeem Yayi-Akorede, said Governor Aiyedatiwa deserves more prayers from the Muslim community in the state to succeed and overcome all challenges facing him.

He warned Muslims not to join the public in condemning the governor or his government as no one has the right to do so to a performing leader.

The cleric, therefore, sought God’s intervention in all his endeavors and administration to lift the state to greater heights.