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Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said religion will not be allowed to divide the people of the state, stressing that residents remain united regardless of faith.
Makinde spoke while bidding farewell to intending pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj at the Oyo State Hajj Camp in Olodo, Ibadan. He urged them to pray for divine guidance as the state prepares to elect new leaders in 2027.
The governor also asked the pilgrims to use the pilgrimage to pray for Oyo State and Nigeria as the election season approaches, and to serve as good ambassadors of the state.
He acknowledged ongoing discussions about who would succeed him, including debate over whether the next governor should be a Muslim, but said residents should pray for a leader who would sustain the progress and achievements recorded by his administration.
According to him, unity and the continued development of Oyo State are more important than religious considerations.
Makinde added that religion has never been a major issue in the state, noting that many families have members of different faiths who have lived peacefully together. He said people should not be pressured into making political choices based on religion alone.
“In Oyo State, we are all one. We won’t allow religion to divide us. I charge the intending pilgrims to pray for our state and country when they get to the Holy Land, because this is the period leading to the next election and a new set of leaders would emerge.
“Whatever decision we make, we will have to live with it for the next four years. So, I want you to pray for our state and country.
“There is a lot of discussion going on right now on the choice of who would become the next governor. The conversation going on is about a Muslim being my successor, but I want you to pray that God should choose the person who would sustain the achievements and the good works we are doing in the state.
“What matters most is that we must stay united. The progress of Oyo State is what is important to us, and I believe God will answer our prayers.
“For us in Oyo State, religion is not an issue. We have all religions in our various families, and we have always coexisted peacefully. So, I have told those talking about Muslim candidature that we should not be stampeded into taking decisions on the basis of religion, and I know they understand me.”
Responding to requests from the pilgrims’ board, the governor promised to complete the ongoing mosque project, donate a bus to the board’s use in the state, and provide another vehicle to support transportation for Oyo pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
He commended Oyo pilgrims for consistently representing the state well during previous Hajj exercises and congratulated the intending pilgrims while wishing them a safe journey.
Makinde also praised the chairman of the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Sheikh Wahab Atere, and members of the board for their planning and coordination of the 2026 Hajj exercise.
Earlier, Atere said 1,036 intending pilgrims from Oyo State would perform the Hajj this year. He thanked the governor for his continued support of the Muslim community and the board.
He added that the state had secured visas and suitable accommodation for all intending pilgrims, who would be airlifted in batches beginning from May 3, 2026.
In separate goodwill messages, Deputy Governor Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal and former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, commended Makinde for his support to the Muslim community.
They urged the pilgrims to remain focused, conduct themselves well and perform the Hajj rites with devotion.
