Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said religion will never be allowed to divide of Oyo State, noting that the people of the state are one and will always remain one.
He stated this on Wednesday at the Oyo State Hajj Camp, Olodo, Ibadan, while bidding farewell to pilgrims intending to perform the 2026 Hajj.
Governor Makinde urged the people of Oyo State to pray for God’s guidance in choosing the next set of leaders, who would continue from where his administration will stop in 2027.
He equally tasked the pilgrims to use the opportunity of their pilgrimage to the Holy Land to pray for both Oyo State and Nigeria, as the electioneering period approaches.
Makinde also enjoined the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state.
He said: “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 that 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.”
Makinde, responding to some of the requests of the board, promised to complete the ongoing mosque construction in the Hajj Camp.
He also promised to donate a bus for the use of the Board in the state and another bus for the ease of movement of the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia during Hajj.
The governor also commented on how Oyo State pilgrims have always been good ambassadors of the state.
“We have been extremely lucky in Oyo State, because our pilgrims have always been different; they have always been good ambassadors of the state.
“So, for the ease of the Hajj operations, I will give a new bus to the Oyo State pilgrims in the Holy land. I will also donate another one for the use of the Board here.
“On this note, I want to congratulate the intending pilgrims and wish you a safe journey,” Makinde said.
The governor also used the occasion to commend the chairman of the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Sheik Wahab Atere, and members of the Board for the successful planning and coordination of the 2026 Hajj operations.
Earlier in his welcome address, Sheikh Atere noted that 1,036 intending pilgrims would perform the Hajj rites from Oyo State.
He appreciated Governor Makinde for his continuous support to the Muslim community and the Board towards a smooth 2026 Hajj exercise.
He explained that, with the support of the governor, the state has secured visas and befitting accommodations for all the intending pilgrims, who would be airlifted in batches, starting from 3 May, 2026.
Also in their separate goodwill messages, Deputy Governor Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal and a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, thanked the governor for his unwavering support to the Muslim Ummah.
They charged the intending pilgrims to remain focused, be good ambassadors of the state and to perform the Hajj rites devotedly.
