29th June, 2023
By Shedrack Frank
The Bayelsa Muslim community has backed Governor Douye Diri’s second term bid and his Deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, in the Nov. 11 gubernatorial election.
On Wednesday, the Bayelsa Government hosted a special banquet for the Muslim faithful to commemorate the 2023 Eid-el Kabir festival at the Government House in Yenagoa.
During the ceremony, the Chairman of the Council for Islamic Affairs in the state, Alhaji Yakubu Otobo, stated that the Muslim Ummah was completely backing the governor’s re-election quest due to the various verified projects his government had successfully completed in the state.
Speaking through his Vice, Malam Usman Galadanchi, Otobo identified the projects as included phase two of the New Gateway road, the Nembe-Brass, Sagbama-Ekeremor, and Yenagoa-Oporoma highways.
Others included the Onopa bridge connecting New Yenagoa City, the New Judges Quarters, and the cutting-edge Ernest Ikoli Media Complex.
The Islamic leader observed that Eid-el-Kabir was the most important sacrificial feast in the Muslim calendar and praised the state government for consistently hosting Muslim faithful to mark their numerous religious festivals.
Otobo commended the Prosperity Administration for establishing a peaceful atmosphere for businesses to develop across the state, and said that Muslims would return the favour by working for the governor’s reelection despite his Christian background.
“Your Excellency, Council appreciates this administration for your love for the Muslim community in Bayelsa State.
“We will continue to appreciate the Prosperity Administration for creating a peaceful environment for our businesses across the state.
“We want to also thank you for giving 10 Hajj Seats to the Muslim community. We are not Oliver Twist but we are asking for more Hajj Seats, come 2024.
“As Muslims in the state, we pray, may Allah continuously open all your doors of favour and more wisdom to pilot the affairs of Bayelsa State.
“We also say congratulations, Your Excellency, in advance for your re-election,” he said.
NAN