Muslims from all walks of life gathered at the Eid Praying ground in Ibadan to offer a special prayer for the successful and peaceful elections which begin on Saturday, March 28 and April11.
The prayer was called by the Muslim Ummah of South- West Nigeria (MUSWEN).
The prayer session which started at 10 am was presided over by Sheikh Baosari Suara Haruna lll, Chief Imam of Ibadanland and President General, League of Imams and Alfas in South West Including Edo and Delta States.
Haruna told the gathering that the prayer was necessary in view of the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking on the essence of the Prayer, the Executive Secretary of MUSWEN, Dawud Noibi, said the association organised the prayer to ensure peaceful elections in the country.
“The only resort Nigeria has is to call on Allah to guide us and give us peaceful elections,” he said.
He said the way out in solving any problems should be through negotiation and not through crisis.
“As Muslim faithful we have the believe that through prayer there will be peace in Nigeria and all will be well,” he said.
Mr. Noibi advised those eligible to vote to come out en-mass to cast their vote according to their conscience .
Speaking in the same vein, the chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo State, Kunle Sanni, said that Muslims believed in the efficacy of prayer hence the need to call on Allah.
” As the election is drawing near, there has been apprehension by Nigerians that the election may be marred with violence and may lead to anarchy”
He urged all the ethnic militias not to attached to any political party in other to ensure a free and fair elections.
The National Public Relations Officer (PRO) Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria, (FOMWAN) Sururah Oyero emphasised the role of women in the forthcoming elections.
According to her, the role of women is to come out en-mass to fulfill their civic obligations.
“FOMWAN is calling on women to take care of their children and must not send them out to hawk at the polling units,” she said.
Ismail Alli, Secretary to the Oyo state Government, said he came to represent Governor Isiaka Ajimobi, who he said value the importance of prayer.
At the prayer, a whole Quran was recited as well as some selected prayers for a free, fair and violence-free elections in the country.
Many prominent islamic leaders and representatives of Muslim Organisations in Nigeria attended the prayer session. [myad]
