Ekiti LG chairman to MURIC: Stop inciting religious tension over market project

Moses Omojola, the chairman of Ekiti west LGA, has cautioned Ishaq Akintola, the director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), against inciting religious tension in Ekiti state with his comments.

Ompjola is reacting to a claim by Akintola that Opeyemi Bamidele, the senate leader, demolished a mosque in Aramoko-Ekiti to pave the way for a constituency market.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the LGA chairman said the allegation “is a gross misrepresentation of facts” intended to stoke religious tension and tarnish Bamidele’s reputation.

“We categorically state that this allegation is false, malicious, and a gross misrepresentation of the facts,” the statement reads.

“It appears designed to inflame religious sentiment and undermine the credibility of a federal legislator whose developmental efforts across Ekiti State have always been inclusive and community driven.”

Omojola said the land in question was “officially allocated to the Senate Leader by the Alara-in-Council and Ekiti West Local Government” for the development of an ultra-modern market intended to serve residents of Aramoko and adjoining communities.

He added that the structure described by MURIC as a mosque was “an unauthorized and incomplete building without any approved building plan or documentation,” noting that it was not recognised as a worship centre by either the Alara-in-council or the local government.

The chairman said the Alara-in-council issued a stop-work order upon discovering the structure, adding that photographic and other evidence confirmed that the intervention took place before any development work commenced.

Hel noted that similar constituency markets facilitated by Bamidele in towns such as Iyin and Igede-Ekiti were completed peacefully, “with no religious structure affected.”

Describing the attempt to portray the market construction as an act of religious intolerance as “deeply unfortunate and unfounded,” Omojola said Bamidele has consistently championed religious harmony and inclusion in his constituency.

He noted that Raheem Bamigbola, the chief Imam of Aramoko-Ekiti, “led the opening prayer during the official commissioning of the new market”.

“This act symbolizes not only acceptance but the active involvement of the Muslim community in the project,” he said.

The council chairman said market shops were “equitably allocated to both Muslim and Christian residents” through a transparent process that reflected the town’s religious diversity.

He urged MURIC and its leadership “to refrain from divisive rhetoric and to verify their claims before issuing inflammatory statements.”

“Senator Bamidele remains committed to the service of all, irrespective of faith, and Ekiti West Local Government upholds peace, lawful development, and mutual respect among all religious groups,” he added.