Tinubu’s inauguration: S/West Muslim leaders fault Onaiyekan’s comment

The leadership of Muslim community in the South West on Sunday faulted the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Dioceses of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan’s comment over the inauguration of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Onaiyekan had said that it makes no sense to swear in Tinubu before the determination of the presidential election petition by the tribunal.

But the Wakilu Muslim of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Sheikh Iskeel Awwal, while speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta, described the comment made by Onaiyekan as provoking ,which he said could lead to religious crisis.

Awwal said “Tinubu’s emergence was designed by God and not human beings. Religious leaders should not set the country ablaze with their comments.

“The issue should not be turned into a religious matter. We as religious leaders should lead by example.

“It is constitutional to swear in Tinubu on May 29, so that Nigeria can move forward.

“The Muslims in South West, Edo and Delta condemned the statement made by the Archbishop on Tinubu’s inauguration.

“This is not expected from a religious leader like Archbishop Onaiyekan. As religious leaders, we should play the role of peace and not fanning the embers of disunity or religious war.

“We should contribute our quota to the peaceful co-existence of the people in Nigeria and not widen the gap between and among the religious adherents in the country.

“We all know that the process after the election is for the aggrieved parties to go to court and seek redress while the inauguration takes place.”