By Adeniyi Adedoyin
The Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has called on the electorate in Ogun State not to allow religious sentiments influence their choice of leaders, stressing the need to prioritise competence, unity and development.
Adeola, said the state has long been known for religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, warning that religious bias should not be allowed to undermine its tradition of harmony.
The senator spoke on Tuesday in Ilaro, Yewa South local government, at his 3rd annual Ramadan lecture organized in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The programme attracted leadership of the League of Imams and Alfas from the four zones of the state, political leaders, stakeholders, market women and members of various trade associations.
Adeola said the annual lecture was organised as a platform to appreciate God and offer prayers for the nation and the state.
According to him, Nigerians, irrespective of their faith or belief, must resist politicians who attempt to exploit religion for political gain.
“Ogun State is widely respected for religious harmony and tolerance. We must not allow religious sentiment to divide us when choosing leaders who can unite the state and drive development,” he said.
He added that despite being a Christian, he has consistently supported Islamic causes and sponsored more than 1,000 Muslim faithful on pilgrimage to Mecca annually.
“I am a devoted Christian, yet I have always supported the Islamic community. Every year, I sponsor over 1,000 Muslim adherents to the Holy Pilgrimage in Mecca. This shows that leadership should be about service and unity, not division,” he stated.
Adeola urged the people of the state to choose the best governorship candidate capable of leading the to what he described as the “Promised Land.”
The senator also commended President Tinubu for ongoing economic reforms aimed at stabilising the nation’s economy.
According to him, the unification of exchange rates introduced by the administration has helped strengthen the naira against the dollar and reposition the economy.
He further clarified that the payment of West African Senior School Certificate Examination fees for students across the state, which he recently facilitated, was not politically motivated.
“The payment of WAEC fees for students is simply my way of supporting indigent families and giving our young people the opportunity to sit for their terminal examinations,” he explained.
Delivering the Ramadan lecture, Sheikh Jamiu Sanusi, advised the senator to be wary of political sycophants who could mislead him.
While commending Adeola for his contributions to the development of the state, the cleric urged him to place greater trust in God, rather than in human alliances in his political journey.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, also praised President Tinubu for his commitment to repositioning Nigeria.
Salako noted that reforms initiated by Tinubu during his tenure as governor of Lagos laid the foundation for the state’s transformation into one of the most attractive economic hubs in the world.
He expressed confidence that the president would continue to implement policies capable of moving Nigeria to greater heights.
The minister described Senator Adeola as a compassionate and tolerant leader committed to building on the developmental foundation laid by President Tinubu.
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