The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has warned the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, to stop dividing Muslims in the state.
Recall that the governor recently boasted that a certain Muslim leader in the state is in full support of what he was doing while making derogatory remarks about a certain religious activist in the state.
MURIC issued the warning in a statement circulated to the media on Friday, 15th November, 2019 and signed by the group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The statement reads: “Makinde is backing the wrong horse. He lost the support of mainstream Muslim Ummah long ago and the raison d’etre is not far fetched. Makinde has become notorious as a potential serial mosque destroyer.
“The same Makinde who threatened to demolish the mosque in Iwo Road is the same man who has threatened to pull down Olore Mosque. All within six months of resuming office. Do we still need a soothsayer to tell us Makinde’s real mission in government?
“We have no scintilla of doubt that the young governor is engaging in political masturbation. Worse still, Makinde’s decision to snub Kunle Sanni, the undisputed bona fide generalissimo of Islamic acvitism in Oyo State is a manifestation of poor judgement.
“Apart from being the sitting chairman of Oyo State Muslim Community, Kunle Sanni is the rallying point for both the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) and the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN). Makinde must be a poor student of history and, most unfortunately for him, there is no Bola Ige to remind him how dangerous the cobra’s head can be.
“We advise Governor Makinde to desist from his game of divide et impera. He should look very well before he leaps. Kunle Sanni is the leader of Oyo State Muslims and those who want Oyo State Muslims to respect them must give him his due respect. Kunle Sanni is active on the field. We respect our title holders but we assert firmly that no armchair title holder can displace Kunle Sanni. It is just not their calling.
“We remind the governor of Oyo State that any Christian governor can embark on mosque demolition crusade and some governors love to, but it takes Solomonic wisdom to consider the pros and cons before taking a leap into a dark pit on a pitch dark night. Makinde should remove the blindfold from his eyes.
“Our message to Makinde is this: Build a new mosque as replacement before demolishing any mosque. We do not want ordinary promises because we do not trust you. We know that we cannot force you to build before you demolish. But it depends on what you want Muslim worshippers to send to you when they congregate every Friday: inna atayna or tabat yada…”
