Kwara State goes by the acronym, State of Harmony, just as indigenes of the state living in and outside the area are quick to always defend and protect the image with their peaceful disposition at any moment, irrespective of which adherents of a particular religion are in the majority.

Thus, the recent complaints by members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kwara State on treatment of its members by the state government seemed to many people as surprising, considering the fact that both Muslims and Christians, including atheists had been cohabiting harmoniously since its creation in 1967.

The Kwara state chapter of CAN at a recent press conference directed its members intending to embark on this year's Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem to reject sponsorship offer from the state government.

The association also shunned the state government's request to conduct the ceremonial service for this year Independence celebrations.

The CAN Chairman in the state, Dr James Folaranmi, at the end of the association's emergency meeting in Ilorin said members should instead gather at the United Missionary Theological Church along Offa Garage Area Ilorin by 5pm on Sunday, September 29 for "a special prayer for the nation."

The Christian community in Kwara had few weeks ago alleged a deliberate ploy by the state government to shut out qualified Christian faithful from occupying key political and career positions.

CAN then came up with a statistics, alleging biased political and civil service appointment in favour of Muslims in the state.

However, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, at a monthly R/TV programme in Ilorin, 'Governor Explains,' said appointment into political offices in the state was purely on the basis of local government areas and not religion, "and will never be on religion".

Asked what his reaction was to allegations levelled by CAN, Kwara State Branch, the governor adjusted his sitting position, and began reeling out his years-long relationship with Christians in the state long before he was appointed commissioner and later governor.

"To start with, my better half is a devoted Christian. I have a number of relatives and friends who are very committed Christians. Kwara remains one united entity determined to explore our religion diversity to build a formidable, prosperous state. It was unfortunate such insinuation emanated from CAN whose members are highly patriotic. Don't forget that we are peopled by Nupe, Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani and Baruten and other ethnic nationalities and we have the responsibility of making everybody feel part and parcel of the State," he said.

"Appointment into civil service or any organ of government in the state is largely on the three Senatorial district basis; every council area is carried along. We should not allow ourselves to be reduced to the level of checking whether or not one is a Muslim or a Christian; all that is important is who qualifies and able to do the job and with particular reference to the Senatorial district and local government areas.

"In Kwara South, for instance, you find families where same siblings are of the two denominations. Where do we stand there? Since when did we begin to appoint people based on religion? I come from Share, a predominantly Muslim environment, but when we wanted to appoint a Permanent Secretary, the person who was deemed qualified is a Christian. We appointed him to the position and nobody complained. We need to grow up beyond religious or ethnic sentiments," the governor explained, pointing out that most political appointments are drawn from the list sent to the party by their people in the 16 local governments and often not a sole decision of government.

"I repeat. We must not allow ourselves to be dragged into the needless controversy of appointment or anything on the basis of religion. No matter our religious beliefs, we must live together as brothers and sisters or perish together as fools," he stated matter-of-factly.