League of Imams and Alfas in Ekiti deny ordering muslim faithfuls not to accept Fayose's Sallah gift

The league of Imams and Alfas in Ekiti state have denied reports that it ordered Muslims in Ekiti not to accept the state governor, Ayo Fayose's Sallah ram and rice gifts. The groups denial is contained In a statement released today by the General secretary of the league, Alhaji Abdulrazak Adenipekun.

Our attention has been drawn to media reports credited to a certain Alhaji Quadri Oguntuase, who claimed to have spoken as the Assistant Secretary General of the League of Imam and Alfas in Ekiti State.

First and foremost, we wish to state that position of Assistant Secretary General does not exist in the League of Imam and Alfas in Ekiti State. Therefore, the said Alhaji Quadri Oguntuase is an impersonator, who assumed a non-existing position in the League of Imams and Alfas, ostensibly to carry out the sinister plot of his sponsors to cause disaffection among Muslims in Ekiti State on one hand, and between the State Government and Muslim faithful.

Secondly, the President of the League of Imams and Alfas in Ekiti State, Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere Bello is presently on Holy Pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia and he did not authorize any meeting of the League of Imams and Alfas.

Thirdly, the General Secretary of the League of Imams and Alfas in Ekiti is Alhaji Abdulrazak Adenipekun, and it is the duty of the Secretary General to issue notice of meetings as directed by the president.
In this instance case, no notice of meeting was issued by the General Secretary and no directive was given by the President for any meeting to be held.

Therefore, we wish to dissociate the League of Imams and Alfas in Ekiti State from the purported press statement credited to Alhaji Quadri Oguntuase, one Fatai Jimoh who claimed to have represented Ansar-u-deen Missioner and Imam Abdul Rasak.

While we do not want to get involved in politics as a religious organisation, we must however state that the State Governor, Dr Peter Ayodele Fayose has demonstrated the highest level of respect for Muslim faithful in the State. That can be seen from how he, for the first time in the history made a Muslim one of the three senators representing Ekiti State. Also, one of the two House of Assembly members representing Ado Local Government is a Muslim.

It is the height of political mischief for anyone or group of people masquerading as League of Imams and Alfas in Ekiti to want to use our revered religious (non-political) organization to promote their own personal political agenda.

We are non-political and it amounts to ridiculing the name of the Almighty Allah and our great Prophet Mohammed for anyone or group to drag the Islamic Religion into politics.
We therefore wish to warn those behind the mischief to stop or risk the wrath of the Almighty Allah (SWT).

On the purported call on Muslims in Ekiti State not to receive Sallah Gifts from Governor Fayose, we wish to state that Muslims in the State are not only expecting Sallah Gifts from the governor, we will gladly accept the gifts.

We must also state that Governor Fayose has never discriminated against Muslims in the State. During his first tenure, he appointed the Muslim Permanent Secretary in Ekiti State, in person of Alhaji Yakubu Sanni.

During his present tenure, apart from having a Muslim Senator for the first time, the governor’s Special Adviser on Political Matters is a Muslim, so also the Chairman of Ado Ekiti local Government.

Also, the governor appointed a Muslim woman as Principal Confidential Secretary to the governor for the first time in the history of the State. As at today, not less than 30 Muslims, including Hausa and Ebira have been appointed by the governor and we are hopeful that he will appoint more Muslims into his government.

We are therefore solidly behind the governor and in the overall interest of Ekiti State, we will continue to pray for the success of his administration.
Alhaji Abdulrazak Adenipekun
General Secretary