Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has raised concerns over rising attempts to incite religious tension in the South-West, warning individuals and groups to desist from making inflammatory statements capable of undermining the region’s long-standing peace and harmony.
The group also called on security and intelligence agencies, particularly the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to monitor and address unguarded utterances that may threaten peaceful coexistence in the region.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Ekiti State Chapter Chairman, Prince Gabriel Alonge, Afenifere condemned recent remarks linking the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, to an alleged anti-Muslim agenda over the demolition of a mosque in Aramoko Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The group described the allegations as “unfounded, unguided, and capable of endangering peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths in Ekiti and other South-West states.”
“We read the press statement with grave concern and investigated the claims made against Senator Bamidele. Our findings revealed that he facilitated the reconstruction of the Alara Modern Market in Aramoko Ekiti, which comprises 60 open shops and 40 lock-up shops. The market was officially inaugurated on March 28, 2025, and handed over to the Alara-in-Council and Ekiti West Local Government, the original owners of the property,” Afenifere stated.
The group further pointed out that the Chief Imam of Aramoko Ekiti, Alfa Raheem Bamigbola, offered the opening prayer at the commissioning of the market an event which contradicted the claims that the project was targeted at any religious group.
“For us at Afenifere, this is a deliberate attempt to destabilise Ekiti State, especially coming shortly after the controversy surrounding the proposed establishment of a Shariah Arbitration Panel in some South-West states,” the statement added.
Afenifere reiterated the Yoruba people’s values of religious tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence. The group condemned attempts to manipulate religion for political or ideological gain and warned against stoking division in a region known for its stability.
“In Yorubaland, we are known for tolerance and not any form of prejudice, despite our religious diversity. We are known for our spirit of accommodation and not for suppressing alternative voices. We are known for constructive engagement, not toxic attacks on politically exposed persons,” the group noted.
Afenifere urged law enforcement and intelligence bodies to begin profiling individuals and organisations promoting divisive rhetoric or advocating practices that contradict the secular nature of the Nigerian state.
“The South-West has enjoyed relative peace compared to other parts of the country. We must do everything within our power to protect this peace and ensure that no one is allowed to sow seeds of discord in the name of religion or politics,” the statement concluded.
