Makinde warns against religious divisions ahead of 2027 elections

By Adejayan Gbenga

Oyo State Governor and presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has urged residents of the state not to allow religious differences to divide them ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Makinde made the appeal on Saturday in Ibadan while speaking at the opening of a three-day conference organised by the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland. The conference, tagged ‘Rabitah 2026’, brought together Islamic clerics, traditional rulers, political office holders and other stakeholders to discuss the roles of politicians and voters during and after elections.

The governor noted that discussions about who would succeed him as governor of Oyo State had intensified ahead of the elections. He, however, urged political and religious leaders to ensure that the contest did not create divisions along religious lines, calling on Muslim clerics to use their influence to promote peace, unity and political stability.

“We won’t allow religion to divide us. Let us pray for our state and country because this is the period leading to the next election, when a new set of leaders will emerge. There is a lot of discussion going on right now about the choice of who will become the next governor,” he said.

Makinde also stressed that residents of the state shared a common ancestry and had continued to coexist peacefully despite their different religious beliefs. Citing his family as an example, he said his grandfather, Makinde, lived and died as a Muslim, adding that about 65 per cent of his extended family members would be Muslims if they gathered for a family meeting.

He urged religious leaders and other stakeholders to prioritise the development of Oyo State over political and religious differences. The governor also donated N50 million to support the conference, describing it as an important platform for religious engagement and prayers for the state and the country.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the League’s Board of Trustees, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory, said the organisation would not endorse any candidate or political party ahead of the 2027 elections. He maintained that Islamic clerics were religious leaders, not politicians, and should focus on praying for the emergence of credible leaders rather than campaigning for candidates.

The conference was attended by the APM governorship candidate in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanmbi, and his running mate, Mufutau Open Salawu, as well as the PDP governorship candidate, Hazeem Gbolarumi. Other dignitaries included the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiy Abubakar Agbotomokekere; the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Olaoye; and the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola, alongside other Islamic clerics, traditional rulers and political stakeholders from across the South-West.