Christian Gov Possible in Kwara, Says Ex-PDP Chair Warns Against Islamist Sentiments

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin 

A former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State and two-time commissioner, Chief Iyiola Oyedepo, has declared that nothing forbade a Christian from emerging as governor of the state in 2027.

He, therefore, warned that attempts to exclude candidates based on religion, saying it could fan dangerous sectarian embers already threatening Nigeria’s fragile peace.

Oyedepo, an arrowhead of the historic O To Ge (enough is enough) movement during the 2019 election in the state stated this in Ilorin, the state capital while speaking with newsmen on the state of the nation.

Oyedepo, who also recently resigned from ruling APC dismissed claims that Kwara’s next governor must be Muslim, insisting that, “We all own Kwara together and contribute to its economy,” and that “it is nowhere written that a Christian cannot rule in Kwara.

“Those thinking otherwise are a very small minority. The majority of Muslims in Kwara only want good governance, regardless of what faith that person practices.”

The elder statesman said religion has always been cynically exploited as a political tool, not a genuine reflection of voters’ beliefs.

“Politicians deploy many variables to win elections — religion is one of them. But saying a Christian cannot win in Kwara is self-serving and against public interest,” he said