Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State has vowed
that the state government’s policy on hijab issue would remain despite
“reckless attempts by some fifth columnists to polarise the state along
religious lines using the settled question of hijab in public schools as a
smokescreen to advance their evil intent.”
In a statement by his spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye, in Ilorin on
Tuesday, the governor maintained the state government’s earlier position on the
hijab question.
He declared that, “based on the subsisting court judgements
which were built on the constitution, Federal and state laws, principle of
pluralism and sanctity of the right of every person to their identity,
especially in public, the use of hijab in public schools is a constitutional
right that the government shall protect for anyone and everyone willing to use
it.
“Government’s strategic patience in handling delicate
matters involving the people it swore to protect is not same as pandering to
anyone’s whims.
“Consequently, the state governor stands firmly by
government’s policy on the permissibility of hijab for every Muslim girl child
who desires to wear it in all public schools.”
It appealed to the people of the state to not allow agents
of fake news and disinformation to mislead them and set them against one
another.
“The state government is beholden only to the law, truth and
fairness to all at all times”, the statement added.
It will be recalled that the hijab issue turned violent
recently at Ijagbo Baptist High School, in the Oyun Local Government Area of
the state following a protest my some Muslims who reacted against the school
management’s refusal to allow Muslim schoolgirls to enter the school premises.
One person was reportedly killed while others were injured
in the violence that erupted.