Afenifere Cautions Against Religious Tensions in South-west, Urges Security Agencies to Check MURIC Boss
By Comfort Chukwukelue
Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has sounded a strong warning to individuals and organisations promoting divisive religious narratives in the South-west, particularly in Ekiti State, urging restraint and calling for swift intervention by security agencies.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chairman of Afenifere in Ekiti State, Prince Gabriel Alonge, the group expressed grave concern over recent comments made by the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Prof. Ishaq Akintola, which they described as dangerous and misleading.
Akintola had accused the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, of declaring war on Muslims following the demolition of a mosque in Aramoko Ekiti. But Afenifere dismissed the claim as baseless and capable of inciting religious conflict in a region long known for its religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
“Our findings revealed that Senator Bamidele facilitated the reconstruction of the Alara Modern Market in Aramoko Ekiti, comprising 60 open shops and 40 lock-up shops. The market was formally inaugurated on March 28, 2025, and handed over to Alara-in-Council and the Ekiti West Local Government. Significantly, the Chief Imam of Aramoko Ekiti, Alfa Raheem Bamigbola, offered the opening prayer at the event,” the group stated.
Afenifere accused Akintola of misrepresenting facts to stir up tension, particularly in the wake of an earlier controversy surrounding the proposal to establish a Shariah Arbitration Panel in parts of the South-west — a move widely rejected due to its perceived implications for peace and security.
The group condemned Akintola’s statements as “unguided, unfounded, and inflammatory,” warning that such rhetoric could tear apart the fabric of inter-religious harmony in Ekiti and other South-western states.
“It is disappointing that Prof. Akintola would make such provocative remarks capable of creating disaffection among people of different faiths. The South-west has remained relatively peaceful in a country riddled with ethno-religious tensions, and we will not tolerate any attempt to undermine that peace,” the statement read.
Afenifere called on the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to begin close monitoring of individuals and groups promoting religious extremism or introducing unsecular agendas that threaten the stability of the region.
The group emphasized the Yoruba values of tolerance, inclusion, and peaceful coexistence, warning that inflammatory narratives from any quarter will be firmly resisted to preserve the region’s unity.
“In Yorubaland, we are known for tolerance and peaceful dialogue, not toxic attacks or religious bigotry. We urge everyone to refrain from statements or actions that could spark conflict in our communities,” the group added.
