Ogun Muslim leaders condemn planned hunger protest

The Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Islamic Affairs and the Wakeel Muslimeen of Yoruba Land, Edo and Delta State, Sheik Iskeel Sugar, on Thursday alongside other Muslim leaders in Ogun State condemned the planned national protest scheduled for August 1 by #EndbadgovernanceinNigeria movement

Speaking at an engagement held with the League of Alfas and Imams as well as security agencies at Kobiti Central Mosque, Abeokuta, Lawal said the planned protest was needless and an avenue to destabilise the country.

The Muslim leader, according to a statement on Friday, said that it was quite important the Muslims in the state are properly briefed and enlightened over the antics of those promoting this protest, hence his office organised this stakeholder’s engagement to ensure that no stone is left unturned.

Lawal explained, ”The reasons why the faceless protesters said they want to protest is not only peculiar to Nigeria, it is all over the world and we should endure. Our leaders, President Bola Tinubu and the governors too are not working round the clock to make life better for us all.

“We must not support any rash decision to destroy this only one country that we have and by the mercy of Almighty Allah, all of these challenges will soon become history”.

Speaking at the engagement, representatives of the Department of State Services, Kolawole Sikirulai admonished Muslims to stand as one and brief their families on the danger of engaging in the planned protest as those behind it are faceless and enemies of the nation.

Sikirulai said, “The problem we are facing is not limited to Nigeria like it has rightly been pointed out, it’s across the globe but elements of bad character in our society will make it look as if it is limited to Nigeria alone. It is a worldwide phenomenon, things have gone up, and what we have seen is that the solution to the high cost of living does not start and end with demonstrations.”

Similarly, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Haruna Adamu, Ogun State police command also urged the people to warn their wards from being willing tools and should therefore stay away from any activity that can jeopardise the peace of the state and the nation at large.

Adamu said, “We should learn how to live together, we should learn how to support the government, we should learn how to table our grievances before the government, the president is a listening person, he can listen to you.

“The police are assuring you that, we are going to do our best, with your cooperation, we have mapped out strategies on how to go around to ensure that the relative peace we are enjoying in Ogun State is not allowed to be compromised under whatever guise”.

The Secretary to the Ogun State League of Imams and Alfas, Tajudeen Adewunmi, said that they are totally against the protest and have sensitised their members not to be part of it.

Among those present at the engagement were the Chief Imam of Egba, Yewa, Ijebu and Remo and other Muslim leaders and Association representatives.