Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State has charged religious leaders and politicians to avoid preaching sermons and making comments that could lead to a crisis in the State before, during, and after the elections.

This charge was given in a communique released on Wednesday by the Directorate of Leadership and Good Governance set up by the league after a three-day interactive session with governorship candidates in Ogun State.

The communique which was jointly signed by the Chairman of the Directorate of Good Governance, Qasim Sanusi, and the Secretary, Tajudeen Uthman enjoined clerics and religious leaders to ditch sermons that are aimed at disrupting the peaceful co-existence currently enjoyed in the State, and instead take advantage of their usually large congregations to preach love and peaceful relations with one another.

The Islamic group urged politicians to adopt the attributes of ‘Omoluabi’ and shun all acts of violence and inciting utterances as they go about their activities towards the forthcoming elections.

The Directorate also charged Ogun State residents to ensure that they pick up their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) from offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or other designated collection centers closest to them in preparation to vote for their best candidate.

At the interactive session that had seven political parties and their candidates in attendance, the Islamic group noted that the progress and development of Ogun State is a must-do task for all and as such, all hands must be on deck to accomplish it. The political candidates present took advantage of the session to reveal their plans for the State if elected, and promised to tackle the challenges facing the State in various sectors. They also made a covenant to serve the people of Ogun State in the best ways possible and ensure proper administration of Local Governments in order to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.