The leadership of the Afenifere group has cautioned the executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concerns (MURIC), Ishaq Akintola and other religious groups against stoking ethnic or religious violence in the Southwest region.
The Yoruba socio-political group warned individuals and organisations against making incendiary statements or introducing unsecular practices capable of endangering the lives of people of
In a statement issued by the chairman of its Ekiti state chapter, Gabriel Alonge, the Afenifere group called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police to profile and interrogate Akintola and other leaders stoking violence in the region.
Alonge cited the comment by Akintola stating that the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele has declared war on Muslims over the demolition of the Mosque in Aramoko Ekiti, Ekiti State.
He described the MURIC leader’s statement as one capable of endangering peaceful coexistence among brothers and sisters of different religious leanings.
Alonge said, “We read the press statement of Prof. Ishaq Akintola with grave concerns. We have also dug deeper into the veracity of his claims that Senator Bamidele declared war on Muslims for demolishing a mosque in Aramoko Ekiti, the headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government Area, Ekiti State.
“Our findings revealed that Senator Bamidele facilitated the reconstruction of Alara Modern Market in Aramoko Ekiti. We also found out that the market, comprising 60 open shops and 40 lock-up shops, was inaugurated on the 28th of March 2025 and handed over to Alara-in-Council and Ekiti West Local Government, the two original owners of the property.
“We found out that Chief Imam of Aramoko Ekiti, Alfa Raheem Bamigbola offered the opening prayer at the inauguration of the market last year. Where did Prof. Akintola get his information? For us, at Afenifere, this is a deliberate attempt to destabilise Ekiti State shortly after we got over ripples that their plan to establish the Shariah Arbitration Panel in some southwest states had triggered,” he said.
He added that it is disappointing that Akinotola could make such a comment with his only aim being to cause dissatisfaction among the people of Southwest.
“In Yorubaland, we are known for tolerance and not any form of prejudice despite religious diversity. We are known for our spirit of accommodation and not suppressing alternative voices. We are known for constructive engagement and not toxic attacks on politically exposed persons,” Alonge added.
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