The President, Association of Mogajis in Ibadanland, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori on Wednesday urged people of the town not to allow religion to divide them, saying he has friends, family members and associates who are Christians.
He tendered an unreserved apology over his comments while featuring on a live radio program on Tuesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital which was said to be against Christians.
Ariori said his statement was just a mere response to a question asked by one of the anchors of the program which should not be taken personal, noting that the statement was not intentionally made to attack any body or religion organisation.
Recall that Ariori appeared on a live radio programme, “Bembe Oro”, anchored by the duo of Saheed Alatise and Salawat Lukman on Noble 107.1 FM in Ibadan Tuesday morning, where he was said to have claimed that he is not a Christian, who usually has only one wife with many concubines.
Some Christian leaders has described Ariori’s outburst as attack on Christianity and one that could cause a religious war in the ancient city, hence the need for him to apologise.
But a statement by Ariori stated that he holds Christians in high esteem and will never go against or say anything to tarnish image of the religion.
He added that he has children, family members, several friends and associates who are Christians and equally apologised during the course of the program when a caller called his attention to the statement during a phone call session.
According to him, there is nothing he would gain in talking against Christianity, adding that he is a respecter of faith who has transverse across all religion.
He said, “I want to apologise to our Christian brothers and sisters, my words weren’t intentional, we are all one irrespective of our religion difference.”
He however affirmed his commitment and support towards development and progress of Ibadanland and Oyo State at large, saying people should not allow religion to divide them.
