Confusion as Southwest Islamic body endorses Goodluck Jonathan

Reports say there was confusion among Muslims in the Southwest part of Nigeria as the 'leadership' of the Muslim Ummah in Southwest, Edo and Delta states yesterday backed the second term bid of President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to The Nation, Jonathan’s endorsement appears to be in defiance of the orders given by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) not to meet with politicians until after the elections.

The ‘endorsement’ was reportedly done at an interactive meeting with Vice-President, Namadi Sambo in Akure, the Ondo State capital which was convened by the governor, Olusegun Mimiko.

It was gathered that the Islamic leaders, led by the Secretary-General, League of Imams and Alfas, South West, Edo and Delta states, Sheik Ahmad Aladesawe, decried the neglect of Southwest Muslims in the Jonathan administration.

Reading the resolutions, Mimiko’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Sodiq Obanoyen, allegedly said after looking at Jonathan’s achievements, the Muslim community agreed that he deserved another term.

He noted that as Muslims, they have the right to dialogue with any person, particular those who seek their support, adding that the invitation gave Muslims the opportunity to discuss issues affecting them with the Presidency.

“We, the Muslims in the Southwest, are still largely marginalised in political patronage and appointments.

“Our people are well read, we have political sophistication and we are willing to work for our dear country.

“We, therefore, appeal through the Vice President to Mr. President that political patronage and appointments must be commensurate with the number of people.”

Sambo then solicited the votes of the Muslim community, saying the present administration had implemented policies for the benefit of Nigerians, the Nation reports.

Mimiko said Christians and Muslims had been living in peace in the Southwest.

At the event were Senator Iyiola Omisore, former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Tai Lawal, Chief Imam of Delta State, Abdul Rasheed Ahmad, Chief Imam of Osogbo, Rabiu Animashaun, Chief Imam of Ekiti, Bello Keuler, among others.

But in a quick reaction to the alleged meeting, MUSWEN’s Executive Secretary, Dawud Noibi; Chief Imam of Ibadanland, who is the president-general, League of Imams and Alfas Southwest, Edo and Delta states, Bhosari Haruna and Chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo State, Ishaq Kunle disowned the Akure meeting.

They described it as an Ondo affair, which has nothing to do with the leadership of the Muslim Ummah in Southwest, Edo and Delta states.

Prof Noibi, who spoke through MUSWEN’s Media Consultant, Alhaji Femi Abbas, said MUSWEN leadership had decided not to meet any politician or political party because it’s aware of desperate moves by unscrupulous politicians to break the rank and file of the Muslims in Southwest.

He said: “There is no prominent Imam from the Southwest at the meeting because we all agreed not to be part of such a clandestine move; no Chief Imam from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun attended the meeting, except for the Chief Imam of Owo, who doubles as the Ondo State Muslim Community chairman and as secretary general, League of Imams and Alfas Southwest, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Sheikh Ahmad Aladesawe.

“Aladesawe is only playing Mimiko’s card; he did that for his own interest.”

Haruna described the meeting as politically-motivated. He denied sending a representative to the meeting.

“I am in Ibadan as we speak. I never asked anybody to represent me. Whoever said he represented me at the meeting is an impostor; he should be arrested and be prosecuted.

“Whatever benefits such person received either in cash or kind will not be useful to him,” he said.

Sanni dared any Imam at the meeting to campaign for President Jonathan on the Minbar, if he will not be stoned.

“Those who went there are dollar-hungry clerics; they dare not come out and tell the public their mission at the meeting, else they will be stoned.

“We understand Sheikh Aladesawe was under pressure from Governor Mimiko to support Jonathan.

“Jonathan has forgotten so soon how he treated the Muslims during the composition of the National Conference, now he is running from post to pillar, seeking our support,” he said.