Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan

Former Commissioner for Commerce and Cooperatives in Oyo State, Mr Kola Balogun, on Friday, enjoined Muslims in the state and across the country to use the period of one month Ramadan fasting to pray for the successful conduct of next year's general elections.

Balogun, a governorship aspirant on the platform of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, gave the charge in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, the state capital.

He said the need for Muslims to pray for the peaceful conduct of the elections is necessary in view of the current political happenings in the country, enjoining them to use the period of fasting to pray fervently for the election to be peaceful, acceptable, free and fair.

He said, "I am using this medium to congratulate Muslims faithfuls in Oyo State and across Nigeria on the beginning of this year Ramadan Hijirah 1439 calendar.
The period of Ramadan is a period of forgiveness, sacrifice and blessings. The first part of Ramadan is a period of forgiveness, the second part of Ramadan is blessings and the last part of Ramadan turned slave to freeborn.

"It is on this note that I will like to use this medium to urge Muslim faithfuls to use this period and pray for the successful conduct of the next year's general elections.

"Current happenings in the political arena of this country have raised concerns that need urgent attention of all and sundry. In view of this, there is a need for Muslims faithfuls across the country and Oyo State in particular to use this period to pray for the success of the elections.

"We don't want what happened in 2011 to happen again that is why we must pray fervently for the election to be conducted in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility".