3. The Failed Religious Card
Aregbesola was cast as a religious fanatic by the Omisore camp, who pointed out several actions taken by the governor as either anti-Christian or pro-Muslim. Aregbesola took an Islamic finance instrument, “sukuk” bond, of N11.4 billion to build schools. He changed the motto of the state from “State of the Living Spring” to “State of the Virtuous”, allegedly because Jesus Christ is also referred to as “the Living Spring”. He also declared the beginning of the Islamic calendar a public holiday, in addition to three other Muslim holidays ─ Prophet Mohammed’s birthday, Eid-el-Fitri and Eid-el-Maloud. Christians have three holidays ─ Christmas, Easter and New Year. The re-classification of schools, in which legacy Muslim and Christian schools were merged, also generated some religious tension.
However, the religious flag did not fly ─ at least not on election day. Apart from the fact that there are probably more Muslims than Christians in Osun State, Aregbesola is from Ilesa, which is predominantly Christian. This gave him a double advantage. Most importantly, though, religion has never been an electoral issue in Osun State where Muslims and Christians live together peacefully. But accused of being a religious bigot, Aregbesola reached out to key Christian leaders, including Pastor EA Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Ministries, who visited the state and said good things about him. This effectively doused the “tension” in the Christian community.
9 comments
Ogbeni won…
Congratulations to Mr Rauf Aregbesola, as he won the election am so happy with u baba. May u succeed in it. Any weapons from your opponent will not harm u.congrat once again
The profundity of it all is that dedication to duty as promised in the manifestos should be upheld. The best to offer the general masses is good governance, its dividend is good followership. Good begets good.
True is always True PDP be mindful you have. succeeded in deceiving Nigeria’s in the past but remember you can’t deceive all the peoples all the time .your days are number couple with high level of corruption . insecurity . merger with high level of incompetency in the administration .pack your bag in Osun state and face your business you have no hidden place in Yoruba land .
It’s about time our politicians realised Nigerians-especially the South West- are better enlightened so trumping up the religious or ethnic card is no longer going to work. We will vote for the candidate with the right stuff. Need I add that corn eating in the market doesn’t cut it. Odin people are not fools
I totally agree with Steve Oboh. I am from Osun State. I definitely would not vote for any of the two candidates. Not for Aregbesola because he skillfully brought in religion into Education in a normally peaceful Osun State. Considering the scores, If PDP had a more acceptable candidate, it would have been a walk over for the party. I hope they have learnt their lesson. The future of the Country should be a priority.
Not sure if Aregbesola is a crony and a religious fanatic. but why all the last minutes deal christian apease deals and workers truce, is it not like what Fashola did in re-election bid of 2011. Are we truly practicing democracy or re-electocracy. Any one with a right thinking brain supported with a good memory will understand that the leaders in APC has resorted to unhealthy policy shortchange and Greek gifts to retain power. God will help Nigerians.
i really enjoy the information
I am not a supporter of the two candidates Ogbeni Aregbesola and OmisOre. But for the death of late Chief Bola Ige who gave me free education in d old oyo state and the hand of ……. In his harasment and killing. I fasted and prayed dat d former shud emerge d winner. Ko te aso agba mole nikan o faya otun fi ina si. He did not only step on toes but destroyed the leg. He will never rule not only in Osun state but in his entire life.