Afenifere Urges DSS To Put MURIC’s Ishaq Akintola Under Watch Over Divisive Comments

Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to put the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Ishaq Akintola, under watch for making comments that could lead to religious conflict.

This is coming after Akintola claimed that Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has declared war on Muslims over mosque demolition in Aramoko Ekiti, Ekiti State.

However, speaking on Tuesday via a statement by its Chairman, Ekiti Chapter, Gabriel Alonge, Afenifere described Akintola’s comments as unfounded, unguided and capable of causing religious conflict in Ekiti State and, by extension, the South-West.

The statement 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 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 south-west states had triggered.

“It is quite disappointing that Prof. Akintola can make such a statement that can cause disaffection, even conflict, among brothers and sisters not only in Aramoko and Ekiti State, but also in the region. South-west is the only part of the federation that has enjoyed some level of peace and stability. We are completely averse to any move or statement that can undermine our peace and stability in part of the region.

“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.”

Afenifere, therefore, called upon the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services to start profiling every individual making statements that endanger the region’s peaceful coexistence.