Nigerians should refrain from making personal demands from elected or appointed government officials, as such demands are often beyond what the officials could afford without breaching the law, a top Muslim cleric said on Friday.

Sheikh Sa’adudeen Muhammad Jamiu, the chief Imam of the Admiralty Villa Central Mosque in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, said in his Jum’at lecture attended by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Senator Ibrahim Yahya Oloriegbe that leaders have a duty to serve the people as a whole instead of being made to serve any selfish interest of individuals.

“Our Governor here is a servant of the people. The same thing applies to the senator and other officials. They are there to serve the people and God will ask them to give account of their stewardship. But I urge our people to stop making demands or seeking personal favours that are beyond them. Let them serve the people,” Jamiu stated.

Jamiu also prayed God to stand by the Governor and his administration to fulfil their campaign promises.

He commended AbdulRazaq for his discipline, humility, and a culture of always keeping low profile especially at worship centres, adding however that he ought to be seated at the front roll as the political leader of the state.

The Governor had quietly sat at the third roll in the mosque since the first two rolls had been occupied when he entered, firmly turning down gestures for him to relocate to the front roll.

The Imam meanwhile urged Muslim faithful to fear God and imbibe the spirit and lessons of the upcoming festival which he said include sacrifice, forbearance and firm belief in God’s destiny for everyone.

He urged the faithful to pray for the country and Kwara, warning against divisive and selfish tendencies.

•Photo shows, L-R: Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Dr. Yahaya Oloriegbe; and Arch. Kale Belgore, during Jumat prayer at Admiralty Villa Central Mosque, in Ilorin, the State Capital, on Friday.

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