Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Tuesday distributed rams to Muslims in the state, appealing to them to shun politicians whipping religious sentiment.
A communique signed by the state’s Assistant Secretary, League of Imams and Alfas, Alhaji Quadri Oguntuase, and two others, had earlier ordered Muslims in the state not to collect rams and other food items for Sallah celebration, if presented to them in any form by the government.
However, the General Secretary of the League, Alhaji Abdulrazak Adenipekun, in a counter-statement ordered Muslims in the state to ignore the ban on Sallah’s gift.
Distributing the rams in Government House, Fayose said he won’t allow himself to be dragged into playing politics with religion in the State.
“I won’t allow anybody to drag me into playing politics with religion.
What I am doing today is a demonstration of love and support for the Muslims. I am not that kind of a leader who does things with religious interest.
“I will do same to Christians at Christmas exactly what I am doing to Muslims today. Ekiti is one whether you are Muslim or Christian and this is the spirit I want all of us to imbibe.
“In my actions and conducts, every Ekiti man knows that I am going to relate with you whether you are a Christian or Muslim. The two are the same. I have no preference for either of the two. I am the governor today and if Muslims get there tomorrow, we will all support him.
“The Chancellor of the Ekiti State University and Alara of Aramoko Ekiti, Oba Olu Adeyemi, is a Muslim. The Special Adviser Political, Alhaji Ademola Bello, is a Muslim and many that had been appointed into boards, which I won’t like to play up,” Fayose said.
Fayose urged Muslims to continue to live in harmony and always think of one Nigeria regardless of where they stayed or lived.