The Political Awareness Group (PAG) Oyo state Chapter has warned the General Public over a purported National Conference allegedly being arranged by a splinter group led by the immediate past Chairman of Oyo State PAG, Barrister AbdulWaheed Olowonjaye.

The warning was contained in a Press statement signed and released to the newsmen in Ibadan on Wednesday by the Oyo state PAG Chairman, Dr Lukman Tunde Fasasi (Ph.D).

Dr Lukman said, the attention of PAG Oyo state Chapter was drawn to an invitation to a National Conference of PAG purportedly being organized by a splinter group led by the immediate past Chairman of Oyo State PAG, Barrister AbdulWaheed Olowonjaye.

According to him, “The so-called conference is not being organized by the Political Awareness Group (PAG), which is an amalgam of the organizations and bodies involved in the struggle for the political emancipation of Muslims of the old Oyo state. The so-called conference has no approval of the Board of Trustees (BOT) neither does the Group have a National body for now. What is being promoted is a one-man move, for whatever motive, exploiting the image of the genuine PAG, built over decades.

“There are avalanche of evidences against the purported National Conference given the various interventions by the elders, which involved professors, respected administrators, royal fathers, religious and community leaders, under the auspices of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee. There were resolutions by the committee to which all the parties swore, in the name of Allah to accept, without being coerced.

“Unfortunately, Bar. Olowonjaye, who was part of the concerned parties at the peace committee meeting, and another one held with the BOT members, has chosen to disrespect the elders and disregard the resolutions he swore to accept in the name of Allah, by continuing with the so-called national conference without the approval of all parties and those (BOT) he accepted as the approving authorities. It is on record that at the last meeting held at the residence of the BOT chairman, he openly begged for approval and support for the conference after failing to convince all those present, about the essence of such a conference, but was told in clear terms to await further directive in respect of the kangaroo national conference. It is surprising to note that the plan to hold the conference is still ongoing without approval from BOT. One then wonders what would be the driving forces pushing Bar. Olowonjaye to continue on this path towards destroying the ideals and aspirations of the founding founders of PAG,” Lukman wondered.

Dr Lukman thereby stated that, the PAG shall abide by its commitment to the resolutions of the elders and rededicate itself to the goals of the real PAG which is an amalgam of all the past efforts of elders toward reawakening the political consciousness of Muslims and striving for our political emancipation.

PAG therefore dissociates itself from the purported National Conference, and urges all Muslims in the state, and beyond, to decline any invitation to such illegal conference.

While noting this, PAG expresses high sprit to always follow the path of peace and protect the brotherhood of Islam, not hesitate to deal appropriately with any mischievous move capable of causing disunity among members and this shall be in line with the principles of Shariah.

END.