I’ve no power to islamise Osun State -Aregbesola

Posted by admin Headlines, Osun, State News Sunday, April 15th, 2012

Monday, April 16, 2012

Photo: Sun News Publishing

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has denied report that his administration was planning to islamize the state, saying he has no prerogative to embark on such agenda. Aregbesola said neither himself nor his administration had embarked on secession mission since he assumed office in November, 2010, contrary to security reports released recently.

The governor in a state broadcast on Saturday night said the allegations of islamisation of the state and secession were attempts by the opposition in collaboration with a particular security agency in the country to scandalize his government.
It was widely reported at the weekend that Aregbesola had been placed on security watch over alleged islamisation of the state and plan to secede, following petitions by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

The governor who informed that his government had duly notified President Goodluck Jonathan of attempts by a security agency to implicate him over issues amounting to promotion of religious extremism and secession, described the allegation as patently false, saying the allegation was laughable:

“I want to assure you therefore that there is no cause for alarm. What you are seeing is the handiwork of an overzealous and misguided leadership of a security agency that has mixed up allegiance to the constitution, the Nigerian people and their welfare with the partisan interest of a transient occupier of state office.”

Debunking allegation of promoting religious extremism, Aregbesola said nothing in the action of his administration suggested this, adding rather, his government had promoted religious harmony, tolerance and cooperation while promoting communal peace.
He explained that the new uniforms for primary and secondary school students in the state are being proposed with local batik while local designers have been called to submit bids as part of the strategies for boosting the local economy, stressing that he has no hidden agenda behind the project.

On the allegation that he is promoting secession, Aregbesola said his administration remains unapologetic about promoting the identity of the “State of Osun” within the Nigerian federation.

-Sunwp_posts