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Don’t be derailed by praise singers, clerics advise Kwara governor-elect

By Meletus EZE

Some Islamic clerics in Ilorin on Monday admonished Kwara’s  governor-elect, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq,  to be wary  of praise singers in the corridors of power that could  derail  him from offering  good governance.

The clerics gave the admonition in Ilorin during a special prayer organised by the governor-elect to over his victory in Saturday’s  governorship election in the state.

TBI Africa said that the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Abdulrazaq of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner of the election by INEC having polled a total 331,546 votes to defeat Abdulrazaq Atunwa of the Peoples Democratic Party who got 114,754 votes.

Prominent Islamic clerics including  Mohammadu Mukhtar Onikunkewu, Alfa Soibali Bayani, Alfa Alade Olohunoyin, Oluruntoyin Salati, Olaitan Balogun and Alfa Akewugbemi gave exhortation at the special prayers held at the family house of the governor-elect.

The Minister of Information and Culture and leader of the  APC in Kwara, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the state chairman of the party, Alhaji Bashir  Bolarinwa,  and other party leaders were at the prayer session.

The clerics, who said that Abdulrazaq’s  victory was God’s design to liberate Kwara from the previous government that had impoverished the people, warned him against power mongers and praise singers that could hijack his government.

“There are many of them that will surround you and distract you from the promises you made to the people.

“For us, we will not forget all the things you promised the people of Kwara and you must also remember that four years is around the corner. If you do not do well, you they will be waiting for you then,’’ Akewugbemi said.

Speaking in same vein,  Onikunkewu said Kwaran have become politically enlightened and will not hesitate to vote out APC in the next election if it  failed to fulfill the electoral promises to the people.

Onikunkewu stressed his position with the Yoruba proverb which says “the horsewhip used for the first wife is in safe keep for the second’’ translating literally  to “ Kwarra people will vote out APC as they did to PDP if the party failed to perform.’’

On his part,  Balogun said that the governor-elect should not see himself as the best candidate for the job but  God anointed to liberate Kwara.

Onisalati, on his part,  said  the previous administration failed because religious leaders failed to tell it the truth.

NAN reports that the clerics jointly prayed for the success of the incoming administration and wisdom for the governor-elect to lead Kwara well.

Speaking with newsmen after the prayers, Abdulrazaq said he would  be guided by the advice and admonitions by the clerics.

“ They have sent very clear messages and that is why we are starting on the foot of religion so that the administration will be guided on the right path.

“The message from the clerics is very clear, the people voted for us and we are expected to deliver dividends of democracy to them,’’ he said.

The minister on his part said the incoming government was  coming in with a big burden, adding that the governor-elect fortunately understood  the depth of the burden he would  bear.

“He is not an armchair governor. He has gone round and knows  the lapses the state has in terms of infrastructure and social services and he is not unmindful of the huge mandate that he has been given,’’ he said.

Mohammed assured the people that the incoming government will not disappoint them and solicited for their continuous prayers for success.

 

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