Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said that religion will never be allowed to divide the people of the State, as they are one and will always remain one.

The governor stated this while bidding farewell to pilgrims intending to perform the 2026 Hajj, at the Oyo State Hajj Camp, Olodo, Ibadan, urging the people of Oyo State to pray for God’s guidance in choosing the next set of leaders, who would continue where his administration stops in 2027.

He equally tasked the pilgrims to use the opportunity of their pilgrimage to the Holy Land to pray for both Oyo State and Nigeria as the electioneering period approaches.

The governor also enjoined the intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state.

Earlier in his welcome address, Sheikh Atere noted that 1,036 intending pilgrims would perform the Hajj rites from Oyo State, appreciating Governor Makinde for his continuous support to the Muslim community and the board towards a smooth 2026 Hajj exercise.

He explained that with the support of the governor, the state has secured the visas and befitting accommodations for all the intending pilgrims, who would be airlifted in batches starting from 3rd of May, 2026.