TheCable

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, says those accusing him of hating Muslims have skeletons in their cupboards.

Makinde made this known, on Friday, during a ceremony where he presented buses to Ansar-Ud-Deen society and Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN), Oyo state branches.

The Oyo governor noted that his administration is still interrogating details of the past deeds of some elements, adding that if such details are published some people would say he hates Muslims.

He said he will continue to serve the people with fairness and the fear of God, irrespective of religion, noting that he loves both Muslims and Christians as well as the traditionalists.

“If some elements are saying I don’t like Muslims, it is what they have done in secret that is disturbing their minds,” the governor was quoted in a statement by Taiwo Adisa, his chief press secretary.

“We have seen all that they did but we are still interrogating the details. If we decide to put it in the public, some may say it is confirmation that I don’t like Muslims.

“My special assistant on Islamic affairs has said most of the things meant to be said. But one thing he didn’t remember to say is that the Imam of Omituntun has been there since 2014.

“We started building the Omituntun Mosque structure in 2013 and we completed it in 2014. As of that time, those who were my closest aides were three and they are all Muslims.

“I want to say it again that I love both the Muslims and the Christians as well as the traditionalists.

“We must not discriminate and we have to be fair to everybody. And we believe that whatever we do, we will get the reward from God.

“We are serving you as your servants. I came to you to give us the opportunity to serve you and you did. So, I believe we must serve you with the fear of God.

“So, today, I want to fulfill part of the promises I made before I got elected as the governor of Oyo State. I promised that, when I become the governor, I would do my best to support people from both religions.

“That is why I want to donate a bus each to the Ansar-Ud-Deen of Oyo State and that of Oyo Town, to propagate the gospel of Islam.”

On her part, Monsurat Sunmonu, a former senator and a member of Ansar-Ud-Deen society, commended Makinde for running an all-inclusive government.

“You all know that I was once a Speaker in this state and Senator that represented Oyo central senatorial district. So, I can understand what is called governance,” she said.

“We are looking round to gather people within Oyo state for us to be able to support the governor

“In doing this, the governor deemed it fit to get us a vehicle for movement, not for politics but for the course of their duties. As Muslims, they will be moving around mosques and everywhere to propagate the Islamic religion.”