*Warns elected officers on consequences of unkept promises
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
An Islamic scholar, Sheikh Hashim Atere has advised elected public officers in Nigeria to always adhere to the bond between them and the electorate by keeping to their promises.
Sheikh Atere gave the advice on Saturday in Ibadan, at the fifth annual Shina Peller/NUJ Ramadan lecture/Iftar held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Ibadan.
The Islamic Cleric emphasized that God frowns so much at unkept promises, hence the need.for elected public office holders to be cautious of the consequences of not keeping electoral promises.
In the lecture titled, “Inescapable Rewards of Kept and Unkept Promises in Public Offices; The Islamic Perspective” sponsored by the Ayedero of Yoruba land, Hon. Shina Peller (Accord-Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa), Sheik Atere noted that every promise made was a debt that must be redeemed, saying Allah considered not fulfilling promises as a great sin.
“Our public office holders should always know that they were elected based on promises made to the people in the presence of God. Whatever promise made by elected president governor, senator, house of Representatives member, House of Assembly, Chairman or Councilor is made with God,” he said.
Sheikh Atere added ” There is always reward for every promise kept and consequences for every unkept promise. Always ensure you keep all promises made”.
Stressing that the people were not also exempted from keeping to their promises as Almighty Allah made it compulsory for all, Sheik Atere lauded Hon Peller for his good deeds and steadfastness, praying that Almighty Allah would grant his heart desires soon.
Speaking, the lawmaker representing Iseyin/ Itesiwaju/ Kajola /Iwajowa Federal Constituency said the topic of the lecture was timely and very interesting as it came at a critical time when Nigerians were about to witness transition in power.
“It is very crucial topic that dwells on great leadership quality that can bring the needed transformation and make Nigeria an enviable country when leaders imbibe it,” he said.
The lawmaker added, ” As a leader, you can’t claim that you are a good Muslim if you fail to honour the promises you made to the people you are leading. Allah considers not fulfilling promises a great sin. Allah emphasizes this in the Holy Quran, Chapter 16, verse 2 and 3,”
Hon Peller maintained that a good leader was one who make promises to people and fulfil the promise after grabbing such power, adding that a good leader genuinely loves his or her people when he or she fulfil promises and makes his or her subjects major priority.
He stressed that his decision to contest the Senate seat instead of returning to the House of Representatives for another term was in fulfilment of a promise made to his people during the 2019 general election campaigns in the spirit of equity and fairness among the four local governments in the constituency.
” I chose not to return to the House for the second term in fulfillment of the promise made. For the sake of integrity, my decision was based on my consideration of other local governments within my constituency- Kajola and Iwajowa who haven’t presented a representative for almost 16 years now.”
Oyo state NUJ Chairman, Alhaji Ademola Babalola while speaking the State thanked Hon Peller for consistent sponsoring of the programme and unflinching support to the union, saying, the lecture was apt and timely ahead of the inauguration of newly elected public of holders at the just concluded general elections.
The Oyo State NUJ Chairman stressed that the lecture educated elected public office holders and other Nigerians on the need to keep every promises made at any given period of time, saying, ” this lecture highlighted the rewards inherent in keeping and not keeping promises as stated in the Holy Quran,”
