Fayose, Muslims Leaders Reach Truce On Mosque Demolition
Ekiti State Governor Mr. Ayodele Fayose yesterday brokered peace and reached a pact with some Muslim leaders on planned demolition of some mosques in the state.
The governor after a meeting held at Osuntokun lodge of the government House in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital said the differences over some mosques marked for demolition by the government have been resolved.
The Muslims community’s delegates led by President General of the Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs, for South-West, Delta and Edo, Sheik Jamiu Kewulere Bello, Chairman, Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs of Ekiti, Yakubu Sani, and Ekiti State chapter of the National Council of Muslim Youths Organisations, (NACOMYO) Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed, appealed to Governor Fayose to reconsider his stand on the mosques marked for demolition, saying he has always been a listening leader and one who cherishes the people.
Sheik Bello who addressed Governor Fayose on behalf of the delegates, said: “We appreciate your immense support for the Muslim community in Ekiti. It was with your support and that of God that we got the position we have as leaders of the community in the South-West, Delta and Edo.
“Your decision to bring fortunes to all shall be rewarded. Though, we were surprised that one of our mosques would be demolished, but we know you have a listening ear and there must be a reason for your actions. You gave me one condition under which we can discuss and I called the NACOMYO, we discussed and they supported that the mosque should be used according to your directives.
“You own us and you are our authority, and we should be able to obey and we are all supporting you. People have been calling me on this matter and I have been explaining to them that there is no problem and that the matter would be resolved.”
Responding, Fayose clarified that there is no political bias in his government’s plan to demolish mosques or churches built inside the petrol station.
He said that the mosque marked for demolition is being attended by many Muslim worshipers, a development which he said is very risky in the event of any fire accident.
The governor remarked that he would not demolish the mosques if they are used for private worship and not for commercial or public use.
“I would have sent security operatives to enforce the order to demolish the mosques but because of the respect I have for you (Sheik Bello). Despite the barrage of insults that some Muslim groups have given me on the internet and the papers, some of them even went to the point of doing rally and protests and turned the matter to politics, but I kept my cool. I would have arrested them because those doing the rally have overstepped their boundary but we honour you.
“Please caution those doing that so they don’t rubbish you. No one who is in APC can say I have harassed him in the state and I don’t allow any of my people to harass them because I don’t play politics of bitterness
Any mosques built for private use will not be demolished. But when hundreds are going there, the mistake of one man can cause big tragedy for all.
“Government’s intervention is not to demolish but to ensure that the mosques are not used for commercial, public use, once the traffic is too much, it will not be allowed. If you find a land nearby that you can build mosque on, I may take it for you. Tell anyone who comes to you that we have only one government and we must protect it,” governor Fayose said.
