Makinde Assures of Religious Tolerance in Oyo Provided All Respect Rules

Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has reemphasized the commitment of the state government to supporting religious tolerance and coexistence in the state amidst public speculation of the state’s position on how a Sharia panel works.

In recent public statements, Makinde addressed issues of religious concerns in the state, reiterating that his government is not opposed to the peaceful operation of any religious or community-based boards, including those that cover Sharia law.

The Governor appealed to citizens to ignore any actions that can cause conflict and lead to unrest, as he contended that such actions would be hijacked by individuals with a secret agenda.

Though the state government has always been a proponent of the virtues of peace, justice, and equality, Governor Makinde was eager to emphasize the imperative of maintaining the laws of the state and the nation. He reiterated that religious leaders across all faiths should propagate amongst the people mutual understanding and tolerance.

Makinde’s administration has continuously made an effort to ensure the heterogenous religious makeup of the state remains intact, and the governor urged a collaborative effort to ensure unity and prevent extremism or sectarianism.

In particular, the Governor’s statements were aimed at avoiding any politicking or manipulation of religious matters for political or personal interests, appealing to Muslim and Christian leaders to resist attempts to divide them.

Though Governor Makinde himself has not recently spoken of a Sharia panel per se, what he did say embodies his overall agenda of peace and unity. This is coming after his sustained interest in making sure there is a peaceful and inclusive setting for all Oyo State citizens, irrespective of religious affinity.

The state government’s message is a manifestation of the administration’s commitment to maintaining law and order while respecting the people’s cultural and religious diversity.

Throughout the unfolding of the case, the stakeholders are still closely monitoring events, especially on how religious panels and frameworks of the law are applied in the state.