Two Islamic Clerics Fault Colleagues' Position On Female Governor

Catherine Agbo

6 June 2010

Two Islamic clerics, Malam Sa'ad Ambali, the Missioner of the Islamic Muslim Reformers Association of Nigeria (IMRAN) in Kwara State, and Sheik Suleiman Farook Onikijipa, have thrown their weight behind the emergence of a female governor in the state.

They based their position on the provisions of both the Qur'an and the Nigerian constitution, which they said, does not discriminate against women as far as political offices are concerned.

Ambali spoke at the weekend in Ilorin at a prayer session organised by IMRAN for the emergence of a female governor in 2011.

Addressing Muslims and Islamic organisations from the 16 local government areas in the state, the cleric noted that it was erroneous for any Islamic scholar to posit that Islam was against women holding the highest political office in a state or country.

"Islam is a religion of peace and has not foisted any situation of hopelessness on any individual", he said.

He prayed for peace and tranquility to continue to reign in the state.

Onikijipa, in his own position, also debunked the claim that Islam forbade women from becoming governors.

The cleric, who made this known during the Maolud Nabbiy celebration in Omoda area of Ilorin, described the claims as baseless, unfounded and cannot be found or supported by either the Qur'an or the Hadith of the Holy Prophet Mohammed.

He admonished Muslim clerics to adhere strictly to the tenets of Islam, warning that they should not transcend the boundaries and limits of the Almighty Allah.

He emphasised that there was nowhere in the Qur'an where women were barred from holding offices either as governor or president.

He noted that women were being appointed as chief judges, ministers, commissioners and council chairmen by both the federal and state governments.

He warned clerics to be cautious and not to overheat the polity unnecessarily for personal aggrandizement.

He urged Muslims to continue to live in peace with one another.