Oyo APC fascist Lawmaker wants Yoruba to vote based in Religion: Has an extremist entered the room?

September 23, 2026

IROHINOODUA EDITORIAL

A Fool: Nothing describes best the impression given by All Progressive Congress, (APC) lawmaker in Oyo State. Ibrahim Shittu representing Shaki in Oyo State showed high level of unintelligence recently when he asked voters in his constituency not to vote for any Christian candidate, introducing religion into political preferences. The shame is that Shittu spoke in Oyo State, one of the most ancient territories in Yoruba fascinating history.

The irony is that Ibrahim is a lawmaker representing people of diverse faith. In his constituency are Muslims, Christians, traditional faith followers and free thinkers. Ibrahim chose to obliterate with his lips a thousand-year history of religious tolerance that the Yoruba are known for.

This is a clear danger.
Ibrahim who drew his name from the Holy books (Abraham – in Christianity and Ibrahim in Islam is so uneducated that he bears and flaunts a name that has no relationship with Islam. Ibrahim the father of Isaac (Isah), the father of Jacob (Yaqub) was neither a Muslim nor a Christian. What must have inspired the grossly irresponsible member of the Oyo State House of Assembly to choose such a name, yet defies all the ancient Abrahamic traditions and all what Abraham stood for.?

The careless and reckless speech of Shittu Ibrahim is not only dangerous but constitutes a big threat to the future of democracy not just in Oyo State, but in Nigeria as a whole. Ibrahim does not deserve the prefix ‘Honourable’ in the first place for so many reasons. He is a disgrace not only to Yoruba values and civilisation but a huge embarrassment to democracy. Here is why: he occupies a constitutional position as a lawmaker in Oyo State House of Assembly.

His position that Muslims should vote only for Muslims is a gross violation of the Nigerian Constitution. There is no where in the Nigerian constitution that allows such a parochial mindset. Again, lawmakers are not voted to represent their faith, but to defend democracy, rule of law and religious freedom. Ibrahim swore to this oath, yet, threw his allegiance to the dustbin.
Promoting electoral choices on the basis of religion has the potential of throwing democracy off the cliff into the cesspool of chaos and violence. Ibrahim seeks to promote religious violence and the polarisation of the electorate along faith divide.

The Yoruba Nation has enjoyed the timeless culture of religious tolerance, Ibrahim wants to set ablaze this tradition that has been the source of pride for Yoruba people and the envy of local and international Community. If his doctrine holds water, then Muslims should only vote for Muslims and Christians only for Christians while traditional worshipers will vote only for Babalawo and the likes. It also means all appointments by the victor should be only members of his faith. How callous can a leader be.
Imagine another Christian or Isese politician urging voters to choose based on the faith of candidates. It is a primitive way of thinking especially in Yorubaland where the population of Muslims, Christians and Traditional worshipers stand shoulder-to-shoulder. In Yorubaland, faith is also fluid. There are Muslims and Christians who also practice traditional religion either on part time or full time.

We have seen those who were Christians yesterday and became Muslims or traditional followers days later

Obviously, that is the pathway to perdition, hate and avarice in Yorubaland and in Nigeria.

At a time that extremists are seeking for recruits across the country, Ibrahim has portrayed himself as a potential recruit, a traitor to his own people. His position fails to appreciate the history of the people he represents. The first political leader of modern Yoruba Nation was Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

His deputy was Ladoke Akintola. Both were Christians. The second figure to emerge after Awolowo was Chief MKO Abiola, a Muslim who enjoyed massive support across Yorubaland. The most important political figure in Yorubaland today is Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, a Muslim who ran on Muslim – Muslim ticket, yet received overwhelming support from across Yorubaland. In sovereign Yoruba Nation, Ibrahim would have been arrested and charged for inciting religious violence and fanning political chaos. Ibrahim is not only an embarrassment to himself, he is an embarrassment to Christians, Muslims and Isese in Yorubaland. It is time to recall him.