DEBUNKING FAYOSE CLAIM OF ISLAMIZATION

Gov. Fayose and Pres. Buhari

The Nigerian economy depends on oil, oil prices bottomed out, the President visit Saudi Arabia who is one of the largest producer of oil to discuss how oil prices can be stabilized, five governors waited for the President arrival in Saudi Arabia, and then blammo, there comes the allegation of the President trying to Islamize the country. One of the greatest tragedy of this century and the last is the cheapening and commodification of common sense. Not everyone has it, heads of states included.

 This isn’t the first time the allegation of Islamization has been trumpeted, we heard it before election. A means used to divide the country along religious lines, it didn’t work then. It won’t work now.

The Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose accused President Buhari of trying to Islamize the country on Saturday just like in 1984 when he (Buhari) was military head of state.

Those of us who weren’t around in 1984 have one of two choices; accept what Gov. Fayose said at face value or find out for ourselves just how true the claim is. History said Pres. Buhari had actually resisted joining the then Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) on the basis that Nigeria is a secular country. Perhaps he had envisaged the misconception that would come along. Surely, Gov. Fayose is a history revisionist.

Prof Tam David West revealed that 1984 was in fact the best time for Pres. Buhari to Islamize the country because there was no constitution to wrangle with, but he never did it. All he had to do was make a decree.   

But what is it about OIC membership that makes people cringe?  The organization aims  are to preserve Islamic, social and economic values; promote solidarity among member states; increase cooperation in social, economic, cultural, scientific and political  areas; uphold international peace and security; and advance education, particularly in the fields of science and technology.

Nigeria, through the regime of Ibrahim Babangida actually join the organization and to this day we are still a member, how come everyone hasn’t been forced to be a Muslim? Or isn’t that what Islamization is all about? Nigeria membership isn’t about religion but economics, reason why the former President, Goodluck Jonathan was there to seek for loans.

A bit of advice for Gov. Fayose:   it is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open them and remove all doubt.