In a move to douse rising tension and reaffirm its commitment to religious harmony, the Ekiti State Government has commenced stakeholder engagement with leaders of the Muslim community following the controversy over the alleged demolition of a mosque in Aramoko Ekiti.
The mosque site, currently being redeveloped into an ultra-modern market, had drawn public attention, prompting the government to interface directly with affected religious leaders and community members.
Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Monisade Afuye, on Thursday led a delegation to a crucial meeting involving top government officials, traditional rulers, and Islamic clerics, including representatives of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
Speaking during the engagement, Chief Afuye reassured the Muslim faithful of the administration’s unwavering commitment to justice, inclusiveness, and peaceful coexistence among all religious groups in the state.
“The administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji is people-oriented and guided by fairness. We will not support any action that could endanger religious harmony,” she said.
Chief Afuye revealed that the Alara-in-Council, led by Oba Olu Adeyemi, has already provided a new site for the reconstruction of the mosque, while also appealing for calm and mutual understanding.
Chairman of NSCIA in Ekiti State, Dr. Hameed Bakri, who led the Muslim delegation, thanked the state government for initiating dialogue and called for closer communication to avoid further misunderstandings.
Chief Imam of Aramoko Ekiti, Alhaji Abdul-Raheem Junaid Bamigbola, however, expressed concerns over the delay in fulfilling the promise to rebuild the mosque, stating that the contractor had abandoned the reconstruction after initial groundwork.
Also present at the meeting were key members of the Ekiti State Executive Council, traditional chiefs, and Islamic scholars from across the state.
Recall that the issue sparked public debate earlier in the week after the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) raised the alarm over the alleged demolition of the Aramoko mosque, which the organisation described as the second such incident in Ekiti within six months. MURIC accused the state government of insensitivity and urged stakeholders to intervene before the situation escalated.
Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, whose name had been linked to the market project, swiftly denied any involvement in the alleged demolition. He described MURIC’s claims as unfounded and accused the group of attempting to whip up religious sentiments.
In a related development, the Ekiti branch of Afenifere also condemned MURIC’s position, describing it as an attempt to orchestrate a religious crisis in a state known for peaceful interfaith relations. The socio-political group called for restraint and cautioned against politicizing developmental initiatives.
Emporium Reporters had earlier reported these contrasting reactions, capturing the heated discourse that trailed the incident and prompting the government’s prompt intervention through dialogue.
As the government moves to restore confidence among all parties, it has reiterated its dedication to ensuring that development projects do not infringe on the rights or sentiments of any religious group.
