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We’ll Treat You Like Bola Ige – Islamic Group Tells Makinde Over Bodija Praying Ground

According to the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), the Muslim community in Oyo State will patiently wait until 2023 to ensure that Governor Seyi Makinde does not seek re-election.

The group made the assertion while disputing Makinde’s claim that the Bodija Mosque, one of the state’s mosques, was erected on land set aside for a recreation center.

MURIC had previously accused Makinde of initiating a deliberate, well-planned, and progressive removal of Islamic landmarks from the state.

After it was reported that the State Government had allocated a Muslim ‘Id praying area in Bodija, Ibadan, for the development of a leisure centre, the organization made the complaint.

In response to MURIC’s claim, the Governor remarked that “part of the property that was designated as a recreation centre since the formation of Bodija Estate was used to build a mosque and a church” through his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa.

The Governor’s claim is untrue, according to MURIC, because Bodija Muslims purchased the land on which the mosque was built and also engaged the power authority to relocate the tension wires on the property.

On Monday, MURIC released a statement signed by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“The governor claimed that ‘Part of the land which was designed as a recreation centre since the creation of Bodija Estate was used to build a mosque and a church.

“This is a blatant lie. The governor has made it look as if the Oyo State Government gave the Muslims the parcel of land on which Bodija mosque was built,” the statement added.

MURIC further accused Makinde of trying to divert the attention from the Muslim praying ground to the mosque whereas the issue in contention is the former.

The Islamic rights group said that its earlier accusation against the governor was that he was trying to seize the Muslim praying ground and not the mosque, wondering why Makinde is turning the matter round.

“We will not allow Makinde to play the game according to his own rules. So we are not discussing the mosque,” MURIC said.

The group said that Makinde shot himself in the foot by trying to manoeuver his way out of the question, adding that he inadvertently admitted that he is building a recreation centre.

“Mr. Governor Sir, in what location are you building your recreation centre? Is it not on the Muslim praying ground? But that was exactly what we accused you of doing. Statements like ‘The new construction will not in any way tamper with the existing mosque in the area’ is not only diversionary. It is deceitful. Nigerians are not fools,” MURIC added.

“Makinde is simply afraid of his own shadow because MURIC has never been known to foment trouble.”

MURIC noted that the only language that politicians such as Makinde understand ‘is the next election’, “Oyo State Muslims spoke to the late Bola Ige in the language he understood. The latter lost his second term election.

“Oyo State Muslim Community will speak to Makinde in the language he understands. The clock is ticking,” the group threatened.

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