…….Council Declares Attempts to Destabilize Ekiti Unsuccessful
The Alara-in-Council, the foremost traditional authority in Aramoko Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government, has strongly refuted claims by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), led by its Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, that mosques were demolished to make way for a township market.
The market in question, the New Oja Oba Market, is a constituency project initiated by the Leader of the Senate and Senator representing Ekiti Central in the National Assembly, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Chief Kola Oyebade, the Sajowa of Aramoko Ekiti and Chairman of the Alara Modern Market Reconstruction Committee, described MURIC’s allegations as misleading, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the senator’s image.
No Mosque Was Demolished
The council categorically denied the existence of any mosque or worship center within the land allocated for the New Oja Oba Market in the Sabo area of the community.
“The smear campaign orchestrated by MURIC’s leadership against the Senate Leader is unfortunate. Aramoko Ekiti is an integral part of Ekiti Central, and it is disheartening that such an attempt at misinformation is spearheaded by a supposed university professor, who should be promoting peace rather than bigotry,” the statement read.
The council condemned MURIC’s efforts to mislead the public and incite unwarranted resentment against the senator, whom they described as a benefactor of the community. It challenged anyone with evidence of a mosque at the market’s location to come forward, warning against spreading falsehoods.
Consultation and Due Process
The council emphasized that all religious, traditional, and governmental authorities in Aramoko Ekiti were consulted before the construction of the 100-shop market. Numerous meetings were held to gather input, and there were no objections or petitions regarding the site’s previous use as a place of worship.
“Under the leadership of our highly respected monarch, Oba Adegoke Olu Adeyemi—a devout Muslim—Aramoko Ekiti has enjoyed peaceful coexistence. We will not allow any agent of confusion to sow discord among our people,” the statement asserted.
Peaceful Coexistence Prevails
Oyebade further noted that both Muslim and Christian shop owners currently conduct their businesses peacefully in the market, contradicting MURIC’s expectation of religious tension.
The council also criticized MURIC’s track record of making baseless accusations, recalling its recent attempt to stir controversy over the Sharia Arbitration Panel in Ekiti and a similar incident in Oyo State earlier this year.
READ ALSO: Northeast Lawmakers Decry Exclusion from $530 Million SAPZ Intervention, Urge Presidential Action
2025 Annual Flood Outlook: 176 LGAs in 30 States at High Risk, FG Warns
Instead of promoting division, the council urged MURIC and its supporters to embrace religious tolerance and unity. “The world has moved beyond the era where religion is weaponized to hinder infrastructural development, especially in a secular and developing state like Ekiti,” it said.
The Alara-in-Council reaffirmed its commitment to supporting peace and development in Aramoko and Ekiti State at large. It also extended an apology to the Senate Leader for any unnecessary distress caused by MURIC’s false allegations and misinformation.
