The
Ekiti state government has rescinded its decision to demolish four mosques
built inside petrol stations in Ado Ekiti but with a condition that such
mosques should neither be used for public or commercial purpose.
Governor
Ayodele Fayose made the promise during a peace parley with leaders of the
Muslim community in the state led by the
President General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, for South-West,
Delta and Edo, Sheik Jamiu Kewulere
Bello.
The
parley appealed to 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 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.
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.
“I
would have sent security operatives to enforce the order to demolish the
mosques but because of the respect I have for you (Sheil Bello). Despite the barage 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 harrassed him in the state and I don't allow any of my people to
harrasss them because I don't play politics of bitterness
"If
I want to promote politics of bitterness, I would not build a women centre to
immortalize the Deputy Governor of my predecessor, the Adunni Olayinka Women
Centre, we would not be celebrating the
death of late General Adeyinka Adebayo because his stature has gone beyond
politics. We must celebrate and honour you.
"Tell
our people, our patience does not mean we can't fight. As for those in
existence, I will allow them to operate
for private use only. No violation of
this condition. Henceforth in this
state, it is abomination to build either mosque or church within the
premises of petrol station.”
Speaking
to journalists after the meeting, coordinator of NACOMYO in Ekiti, Mr.
Tajudeen, said: "We have been able to foster an understanding, and reached
a consensus between the muslim community and government of Ekiti State. The
Governor has been able to convince us to see reasons why he wanted to take the
action. Our leaders have been able to see reasons with the governor. As
muslims, we are enjoined by Allah to obey our leader and the governor of the
state is by all means our leader.
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