2023: Shun Sentiment, Vote Credible Leaders To Move Nigeria Forward, Olagoke Urges Nigerians

As the 2023 general elections draw closer, eligible voters have been urged  to elect credible leaders for the real change Nigerians deserve, saying that Nigeria needed to be truly united and developed without tribal or sectional leaders.

The Founder and Spiritual Head of Shafaudeen in Islam Worldwide, Professor Sabit Ariyo Olagoke, JP  disclosed this  during the grand finale of the 40th Annual Convention”( Ishrat) 2023″ of the Islamic sect held recently  at its headquarters, Wakajaye, Ibadan, Oyo state.

While delivering  a lecture titled; “Governance And Leadership: 2023 Elections And Effective Participation," Prof. Olagoke, who is also the Arole Ogunelu and Mogaji Agba of Aare Alasa Dynasty in Ibadan, Oyo State, emphasized the need for the incoming president of the country to play the role of an umpire to unite the people of diverse backgrounds and opinions, adding that the country needs a paradigm shift in its leadership style of governance.

He however, advised that leaders should not be chosen on account of their health status, but on account of credibility, antecedents and capacity to deliver service to the people as no human being is immune from sicknesses, just as he advised the emerging leader to engage technocrats and promote research for development.

"This is Hope 2023, 30 years after the dashed hope of 1993. If Abiola was sacrificed, we must not mortgage our conscience to have true democracy based on justice, equity for peace, a safe and secure environment with sustainable development.

“The INEC Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) Certification process, we hope, will lend credibility to the 2023 election process for free, credible and fair exercise. All of us must effectively participate in voting and monitoring to prevent vices," he stated.

According to him, at whatever level of operation, emerging leaders must not be greedy,  or selfish, but should be altruistic and accommodating to be able to run the system through people’s participation and must be goal getters by identifying challenges as surmountable through collective efforts.

“Aspiring or emerging leaders must pursue the cause of credibility and goodness, dwelling on the living examples of successful leaders in the annals of record of the past, while taking with seriousness and understanding every related voice of reason, wisdom and divinity.

"Based on all scriptures;  compliance, tolerance, perseverance, fear of God and respect for other’s points of view are the bedrock of promoting love to achieve peace through exemplary leadership by example,” he concluded.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Akire of Ikire-Ile in Osun State, Oba Olatunde Falabi, who described Prof. Sabit Ariyo Olagoke as an erudite scholar and orator grounded in both Islamic and western education, said that a country’s leadership is the reflection of its society.

“Angels don’t descend from heaven to cast votes to elect our leaders, but we the people. Our leaders emerge from us; when the people are bad, the leaders will be bad, “he stated.

The monarch called for attitudinal change, urging Nigerians to embrace love for one another and promote peace at all times irrespective of political or religious affiliations.

The Olubadan of Ibadan land, His Imperial Majesty (HIM), Oba Lekan Balogun Okunmade 1,  was represented at the occasion by the Ayingun Olubadan of Ibadan land, Chief Ademola Odunade, and the event featured the commissioning of the sect's Mission House by the monarch, cutting of anniversary cake and presentation of awards to deserving members of the organization among others.

People from the ancestral home of Prof. Olagoke were led to the event by the Ejemu of Ejigbo Land, Alhaji (Chief) Sharafadeen Oyelade, who described Olagoke as a true son who has brought honour to their family.

The event was climaxed by the presentation of certificates to graduands, who completed their Koranic education between the last edition of Ishrat and this year's edition.