By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti
The proposed demolition of worship centres built within filling stations premises approved by the Ekiti State Government has triggered protests from Muslim Community as they embarked on a peaceful protest on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The Muslim community specifically staged their protest against proposed demolition of a mosque built within a NIPCO filling station at Adebayo area in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti by the government.
The Muslims under the aegis of National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO),described the proposed demolition as an attempt to oppress them by the government of Mr. Ayodele Fayose.
The mosque,according to them,was built by a petrol dealer in Ado-Ekiti,Alhaji Suleman Akinbami within the premises of his petrol station in Adebayo and donated to Muslim community.
It was gathered that the Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Tai Otitoju, had visited the mosque at about 5pm on Monday and marked it for demolition,on the premise that worshipers can contact cancer from the radioactive emission from the petrol station.
The youth marched from the Central mosque at Oja Oba to Odo Ado Area to brief the Chief Imam of Ekiti State,Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere before taking a detour and moved to the palace of Ewi,Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe and Adebayo area,where the mosque was located.
Addressing the protesters, the Grand Imam assured that he would continue to liaise with government for peaceful resolution of the issue.
“Islam is a religion of peace and we have respect for leadership, so I beg that you allow the Muslim leaders to look into this matter. We don’t want you to take laws into your hands, because this state belongs to all of us.
“We are going to meet with the governor to actually get the true position of things and we will do all that we need to do for peaceful resolution of this issue,” he said.
The Coordinator of NACOMYO in Ekiti,Barr Tajudeen Ahmed, described the situation as akin to adding insult to injuries,saying Fayose could not afford to do this to them after allegedly shortchanging them with low appointments of Muslims in his government.
Ahmed accused Fayose of taking the action for political reasons, urging him to have a rethink in the interest of peace.
“The proposed demolition is curious and we see it as an attempt to further oppress us. Governor Fayose made appointments and he put very abysmal numbers of Muslims into his government despite that we constitute 35% of the population in Ekiti.
“We are not violent people and e believe in leadership. We want to plead with Governor Fayose to reverse this action. How can a mosque located behind a petrol station constitute a health hazard to worshipers? Besides, it has been in existence for over a decade and if it can affect the worshipers, what would then happen to those selling
the product?,” he asked.
He added:“If truly this issue is not having political undertone,why did the government fail to issue requisite notices? Islam is not a riotous organisation,we will continue to dialogue but this action is worrisome,”he said.
Akinbami, who is the Secretary of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN),has been having a running battle with the governor over the latter’s attempt to demolish petrol stations built in residential areas.
But in a reaction to the allegations, the Commissioner for Lands in the state,Mr. Tai Otitoju said government gave approval only for building of filling stations and not mosques, churches and shrines.
Otitoju explained that it was illegal to build worship centres where large gathering of faithful would converge for prayers within premises occupying filling stations that it could endanger lives if not stopped.
