An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) tells his excellency Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State who recently renamed the Adogba Central Mosque, Iwo Road, Ibadan, after himself to remove his name. The mosque was demolished by his administration in 2020. It was recently rebuilt.
In a statement signed by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the organisation maintained that Makinde has no moral right to name the mosque after himself because it was a replacement of the original mosque which was demolished by him.
MURIC advised the governor to effect the change before the gubernatorial election on Saturday to avoid protest on election day because what he did was considered a breech of trust as he did’nt stick to his promise of just rebuilding the demolished Mosque in another environment but re named it after himself upon completion.
MURIC’s statement reads :
“Our attention has been drawn to the name of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State which has been conspicuously printed on the newly rebuilt Adogba Central Mosque, Iwo Road, Ibadan. It had better not be. It is an insult on the corporate dignity of the Muslim community of Oyo State in particular and the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.
“We demand that Makinde removes his name from that mosque. It does not belong to him. It is an attempt to rewrite history. Adogba Central Mosque was built for the Organisation of Tadomunul Muslimeen by the Saudi-based Haramain Islamic Organisation.
“The mosque was pulled down by the Makinde administration despite protests by the Muslim community. The demolition was one of the governor’s anti-Muslim actions. Within six months of his resumption of office in 2019, Makinde became known in Muslim circles as a serial mosque destroyer.
“He threatened to pull down Olore Mosque, turned Bodija Muslim praying ground to a recreation centre and bulldozed Adogba Central Mosque. To date, we are not aware of a single church that Makinde demolished. MURIC warned in November 2019 that Makinde should leave Muslim mosques alone but he went ahead with the demolition and promised to rebuild it.
“The governor has rebuilt the mosque in another location but he renamed it after himself. We are shocked to our marrows. What audacity! It is desecration of our place of worship. We cannot worship Makinde. We will worship Allah alone. Said the Muric advocates.
“Apart from the immoral angle, the governor has exhibited ulterior motive. Even the timing of the completion of the mosque was calculated to coincide with the 2023 electioneering period. Seyi Makinde has played on the intelligence of the Oyo State Muslim community. It is outrageous.
“MURIC is known for dialogue and non-violence. Our motto is ‘Dialogue, No Violence’. Neither do we issue threats or give ultimatum. But the best time for the governor to effect the change of nomenclature is before the gubernatorial election coming up next week, Saturday, 18th March, 2023 in order to avoid protest votes on that day.
EDITED BY ZAINAB Y HAMZA