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By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
The Progressive Muslim Clerics in Ogun State have thrown their weight behind the governorship aspiration of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, urging voters in the state to support him in the next gubernatorial election.
The endorsement during a press conference addressed by the President of the group, Alhaji Abdul Wasiu Akinyemi, at Iwe Irohin House, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Tuesday as Muslims across the world marked the commencement of the 1448 Hijrah calendar year.
Turning to national issues, Akinyemi commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for implementing what he described as bold economic reforms aimed at revamping the Nigerian economy.
He listed the removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange unification, power sector decentralisation, trade reforms and consumer credit initiatives among measures undertaken by the administration.
According to him, the reforms reflect the values of resilience, patience and adaptability exemplified by Prophet Muhammad.
“There have been reforms like removal of oil subsidy, Foreign Exchange (FX) Unification, Energy and Power Sector Decentralization, Trade and Revenue Streamlining, Credit and Consumer Expansion and so on embarked upon by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. These economic surgical operations conform with Prophet Muhammad’s example of resilience, patience, adaptability, grit and fortitude,” he stated.
Quoting the Qur’anic verse, “Indeed, with hardship comes ease,” Akinyemi expressed optimism that the reforms would eventually yield economic prosperity.
The group also waded into Ogun State’s political succession debate, arguing that principles of fairness and justice support the emergence of a governor from Ogun West Senatorial District.
Akinyemi cited Qur’anic injunctions on justice and equity, insisting that the district deserves the opportunity to produce the next governor of the state.
“With this very strong divine injunction on justice and fairness, Ogun West producing the next Ogun State governor, and the fact that Senator Adeola-Yayi’s antecedents speak for him more than anything else, Progressive Muslim Clerics cannot possibly close its eyes to all the compelling imperatives surrounding the senator’s governorship aspiration,” he said.
“We urge Ogun State electorates to give the ranking legislator their votes en bloc.”
Speaking on the theme, “Celebrating 1448 Hijrah in a Sociopolitical Milieu,” Akinyemi said the significance of the Islamic New Year extends beyond a mere change of dates, describing the Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Madinah as a lesson in sacrifice, resilience, strategic planning, justice and nation-building.
He urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of Hijrah by moving “from conflict to peace, from corruption to integrity, from division to unity, from poverty to prosperity, from ignorance to knowledge, and from despair to hope.”
The cleric prayed for spiritual renewal, social harmony, economic progress and national development in the new Islamic year.
He noted that the migration laid the foundation for a just and prosperous society, stressing that its lessons remain relevant in addressing contemporary challenges such as insecurity, unemployment, corruption, social inequality, political instability and moral decline confronting nations, including Nigeria today.
“The Hijrah teaches us that meaningful change requires strong faith and conviction, strategic planning and foresight, unity and cooperation, patience in adversity, and commitment to justice and righteousness,” he said.
According to him, Muslims and leaders alike must draw inspiration from the Prophet’s leadership model by promoting transparency, accountability, human rights, social justice and equitable distribution of resources.
“No society can thrive where injustice is normalized,” Akinyemi declared.
The cleric also called for greater unity across religious and ethnic divides, citing the Constitution of Madinah as a model for peaceful coexistence and collective responsibility among Nigerians.
He urged governments and stakeholders to invest heavily in youth development through quality education, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and moral training, saying the future of any society depends largely on the preparedness of its younger generation.
