The renaming of the Adogba Central Mosque in Iwo Road, Ibadan, after the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has been ordered to be reversed.
The change was made just 24 hours after an Islamic organization, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), criticized the major mosque’s new name, which was changed to honor Mr. Makinde.
In 2020, the mosque was demolished by the state government to make way for the installation of a bus station there.
The mosque was renamed after Governor Makinde after it was renovated in a new site.
Several Islamic organizations, including as MURIC, objected to the new name, vowing to oppose the governor’s reelection if his name was not changed before to the governorship and state house of assembly elections on Saturday.
In reaction to the threats, Oriyomi Hamzat, the owner of Agidigbo FM, reportedly led a government representative to the main mosque on Sunday to have the governor’s name removed from the signboard.
Ishaq Akintola, the executive director of MURIC, praised the governor for giving in to criticism on the matter in a statement he released on Monday.
According to information that has reached MURIC’s Lagos headquarters, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has had his name removed from the sign outside the Adogba Central Mosque on Iwo Road in Ibadan. Because MURIC protested the governor for putting his name on the reconstructed mosque, the governor issued orders for its removal yesterday, Sunday, March 12, 2023,” he stated.
Remember that the Makinde administration razed the Adogba Central Mosque in 2020 despite our protests? It has lately been rebuilt, as the governor promised. But, the governor changed the mosque’s name to reflect himself, and MURIC requested that he do so, the official said.
Before the rapidly approaching governor election on Saturday, March 18, 2023, we encouraged him to remove his name and leave the mosque’s original name there to prevent protest votes from Muslims in the state. The governor’s name has been erased from the mosque’s inscription, which now reads “Adogba Central Mosque,” according to the state section of MURIC. This was completed yesterday, March 11, 2023, according to Mr. Akintola.
He stated, “According to a newspaper source, certain employees under the direction of the governor’s media adviser, Oriyomi Hamzat, the proprietor of Agidigbo FM, removed the name.
“We are grateful to Governor Seyi Makinde for following MURIC’s recommendations. MURIC may be unconventional, but it makes sense. We declare that we are not aggressive or militant. When a relationship is built on mutual respect and no attempt is made to infringe on Muslims’ inherent rights, we are also not unduly difficult to relate to. We think that people who follow other religions may live in harmony here and work together to make Nigeria great.
“May Allah continue to keep Governor Seyi Makinde safe and blessed. The removal of his name from the mosque has our approval. No resentment or mistrust anymore. As long as they continue to accord Muslims their rights and dues and as long as they permit their actions to be guided by the principles of equity, fairness, and justice, MURIC will continue to pursue friendly relations with both government and private institutions in Nigeria, according to Mr. Akintola.
