2019 ELECTIONS: ‘LET NO POLITICAL GLADIATOR TURN YOUR HEART AGAINST YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS!’ – BISHOP OYEJOLA AND OSUN CHIEF IMAM WARN ELECTORATES.

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo and Justice Development and Peace Makers’ Centre. Most Rev. John Akin Oyejola and his Religious Counterpart, the Chief Imam of Osun State, Alhaji Sheikh Musa Animasahun had jointly charged Nigerians to beware of unscrupulous Politicians who might want to use them as Evil Machinery for Political disruption and Social unrest in the 2019 forthcoming General Elections.

The duo gave this charge at the Press Conference on Peaceful Conduct during the 2019 General Elections held in Oke-Baale, Osogbo the State Capital of Osun by Justice Development and Peace Makers’ Centre of Osogbo Diocese.

Speaking, Bishop Oyejola described Nigeria as divinely accompanied Nation by providence with the gift of Democracy fruit as a System of Governance that produced lawful means by which all eligible Citizens conscientiously vote to choose both the development agenda and resourceful Leaders that would use nation’s resources for the benefits of all.

He therefore warned Electorates especially the Youths in Nigeria not to allow themselves to be used against their fellow Citizens by Political gladiators who were driven by foul political orientations and inordinate personal ambitions in the garb of ethnicity, religion and class differentiation but rather should let their judgement values of leadership choice be guided by the need for Leaders with capacity, discipline and virtues that would promote safety of lives and properties, justice, patriotism, peace and selflessly economic and educational equity across all social classes.

“ Both Islam and Christianity preach in the belief of one Almighty God and together recognize that both Prophet Muhammad and Our Lord Jesus Christ who are the pillars of our respective religions through whom God revealed Justice, Truth, Peace, Love and Mercy. So, I admonish you all; let no political gladiator turn your heart against a fellow Citizen.

Whether we are Christians or Muslims, today, we all agree that we need Leaders with the capacity, discipline and virtues that would promote the safety of our lives and properties, promote patriotism, justice, peace and solidarity, in Nation building, pursue selflessly Economic equity across all social classes, improve Public Education for our young ones, good Roads, stable Power Supply, availability of clean Water and good Public Health for the Poor among us.”

In his statement, the Chief Imam of Osun, Alhaji Animasahun appealed to all the Stakeholders in this 2019 forthcoming General Elections such as Independent National Electoral Commission both at the Federal and State level, Security Agencies, the Press, Religious Leaders, Electorates and Politicians to eschew any action that could be counterproductive to the good outcome of this year General Elections particularly, the peace of the Country.

He added that they should also allow the common Interest to prevail over their individual’s interest for the sake of God while imploring Nigerians to borrow a leaf of the attitudinal Tree of Love, Trust, Justice and Peace from Bishop Oyejola who out of humble heart ceded such credit and honour to his Capacity.

Reacting, the Osun State Resident Electoral Commission, Mr. Segun Agbaje expressed readiness of Independent National Electoral Commission, especially in Osun State as all necessary arrangements have been put in place ranging from distribution of permanent voter’s cards accordingly, proper security and availability of Ballot Boxes, Papers, Result Sheets. Not only these but also proper sensitization for the Voters and those who to be voted for.

“ As I am speaking now all is set for the 2019 General Elections for necessary arrangements have been concluded  and put in place in the area of logistics  so as to record success mission  such as even distribution of permanent voter’s cards, proper security and availability of Ballot Boxes, Papers, Results Sheets other sensitive materials.” He confirmed.

Also speaking on behalf of other Security Agencies present, the Director of DSS in the Osun State, Mr. Brown Ekwoaba assured Nigerians and all the eligible Voters of adequate Security of live and properties and full enforcement and maintenance of law and order during this year General Elections and after.

While enjoining Youths not subject themselves to any obnoxious event of political acrimony as anyone found culpable would face the full weight wrath of the law. He stressed the need for the Political Actors to shed their excesses by avoiding any inflammatory statement that could stir up Peace mood of the Country.

Setting the record straight on the philosophy behind the Press Conference, the general Coordinator of the Justice Development and Peace Makers’ Centre, Rev. Fr. Peter Akinkunmi explained that the Conference was timely and needful as it was part of the organizational efforts in peace-keeping mission in Nigeria which was targeted at taming the tide of political intolerance and its attendant Violence that more often than not took place in the season like this, most importantly, it became imperative to send a warning signal to the misguided Elements in the body of politics who believed that Religious Institution is an easiest tool for evil perpetration in order to achieve their ill-political Dreams.