By Hammed Shittu
The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP,) Wednesday urged the Christains and Muslim groups in the state to embrace peace and shun all forms of actions capable of threatening the existing peaceful co-existence of the state over the wearing of Hijab in public grant-aided schools.
PDP stated this against the backdrop of violence that erupted in Ilorin following the reopening of 10 schools in the states over the Hijab issue.
A statement issued in Ilorin by the state chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Kola Shittu and made available to journalists urged the state governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to be more proactive in the handling of the issue in the state.
The party however called on leaders of both the Muslim and Christian communities in the State to talk to their people and not allow the hijab issue cause religious crisis in the State.
The party stressed that, “we cannot afford to go to war with ourselves.”
The PDP also condemned the reported attack on a church by some hoodlums within the metropolis, describing it as barbaric and uncalled for.
The statement read, “As a peace loving party, we call on Muslim and Christian leaders in the State to show leadership at this moment by talking to their people on the need to maintain calm and order. We cannot afford a religious crisis and go to war against ourselves.
“We also ask community leaders, elders and traditional leaders in the State to take urgent and necessary actions that will prevent escalation of violence in any part of the State over this hijab matter. This is the time to advocate peace, show tolerance and understanding.
“We wish to commend men of the Kwara State police command for their timely intervention and bringing the situation under control.
‘We urge the police and other security agencies in the State to be on alert and prevent breakdown of law and order in the State”.
