*CAN keeps mum
*MSSN, NACOMYO, other Muslim groups kick, warn ‘ethnic’ Council
*Say nothing must happen to MURIC, Akintola
*Call on security agents to “go after those behind the threat”
*As Muslims in North react
By KEMI KASUMU
Particularly, a Muslim youth from the North, who said his identity meant nothing but his message, insisted that those members of O’odua Isedale-Muslim-Christian Council “should watch their words as Muslims in Nigeria will not take it lightly with anyone that has threatened should anything happen to either their very cherished and revered Professor Ishaq Lakin Akintola, his family or any member of his Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),” he said.
In a recent press release by a suspected ethnic group called the O’odua Isedale-Muslim-Christian Council, Executive Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Ishaq Akintola, and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) was warned with threat of certain consequences over their religious activities.
Although existence of the OIMUCC is still being investigated, the statement it put out has become a thing of worry to some members of the society, who charged the media including The DEFENDER to either unravel the masked faces being it and the threat they are issuing to some religious leaders in Yoruba Land or expose them for security agencies to do the needful.
The statement the Council called, “Summary from the communique issued at the end of the O’odua Isedale- Muslim-Christian Council-OIMUCC held at Ile-Ife on August 15, 2023” and titled, “Warning to Religious Extremists, Akintola, CAN and his co-bigots IN YORUBALAND”, was obtained by The DEFENDER on Monday August 21, 2023.
Whereas it joined CAN but at a less emphasised level, the Council portraying itself as representing some idol worshippers, Muslims and Christians in Yoruba Land, looked more direct about MURIC’s leader by the coining of its press release’s title “…Akintola, CAN and his co-bigots…”
Jointly signed by Signed Abdulazeez Akinbote, Durotola Marcus Babatunde and Kola Mabogunje, the communiqué started on a ground of faith.
“It is to the glory of God that the meeting conceived three years ago to bring youth Christians, Muslims and Traditional worshipers in Yorubaland togather has finally held its second Triparte Meeting after initial hitches.”
It then said in details, “That the organisers are impressed by the massive turn out of delegates from across Yorubaland and Benin Republic
“We affirm that we are Yoruba, children of Oduduwa and the Original inhabitants of Yorubaland which stretches from Togo, Benin Republic through Lagos to Ondo, Lokoja, Jebba, Warri and the Bight of Benin.
“That for thousands of years, Yoruba people have lived peacefully tolerating the multi-faith approach to living, being and essence which is the hallmark of Yoruba civilisation.
“That Christianity did not come to Yorubaland until 1842 when T.B Freeman, a Methodist visited Abeokuta and the coming of CMS in the following year of 1843.That Traditional Religion had existed in Yorubaland BC and the first Yoruba Empire built at Ile-Ife in the 9th century was founded and nurtured by Traditional Religion and Philosophy.
“That Islam came to Yorubaland in the 14th century. The first Mosque was built in Oyo-Ile in AD 1550. Before these periods, there were no Christians or Muslims in Yorubaland.
“That Yoruba people have lived in peace and harmony before, during and after the incursion of Islam and Christianity to Yorubaland.
“That we, the Youths of Yorubaland are worried about the conscious plot by some extremist religious groups in Yorubaland to cause havoc and instigate the people against each other in the name of religion.
“There is a plot, being fanned from abroad by violent extremists and mischievous colonial lords, to sponsor religious violence in Yorubaland, polarise Yorubaland along religious lines and push a decent, credible and harmonious homeland to the path of Lebanon.
“Let us remind Yoruba people all over the world, that election, politics, sharing and distribution of public health has never about religion. Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Ladoke Akintola were both Christians. Chief MKO Abiola was a Muslim. Lagos was ruled by Chief Lateef Jakande, a Muslim and his Deputy, Jafojo was also a Muslim. They performed exceptionally well. Many people never knew that Chief Bisi Akande as Osun State Governor was a devout Muslim. Comrade Aregbesola a Muslim was succeeded by Adegboyega Oyetola and now Nurudeen Ademola, all were Muslims. Kwara State, a Yoruba dominion has been ruled by Muslim Governors since 1999. Ondo and Ekiti States have been ruled by Christians since 1999. Heaven did not fall.
“We, the younger generation of Yoruba people want to live in peace and harmony like our forefathers. We don’t want Yorubaland to be turned into Lebanon where blood, tears and misery flow daily like water because the country was polarised along religious lines by irresponsible, unwise, egocentric Muslims and Christian leaders. Lebanon faced armed conflict driven by religion from 1975 to 1990. Up till now,there is no peace in Lebanon. Those bigots who cause the war are mostly dead, but the pain and anguish they left behind is lasting for generations.
“This is why we are sending strong warnings to Christian Association of Nigeria and Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC not to turn upside down Yoruba territory. We also warn the Oluwo of Iwo, that we shall not allow him to implement his foreign sponsored mission of polarising Yorubaland along religious lines. These people are feeding fat on human blood. They want the religious crisis to justify more dollars for themselves. Both Ìsedale, Islam and Christianity are religions of peace. We see no reason why any reasonable and decent individuals should not see beyond their profit driven interests to realise that fanning religious violence will first consume them and their children.
“These elements have some terrorists within them who view everything from the prism of religion. One Ishaq Akintola is notorious for his thirst for blood and his penchant for violence, provocation and filthy and unislamic posturing. He is sponsored by violent extremists and his desperation to see Yorubaland boil and spill over into blood is well known and consciously pursued by him.
“We resolve that henceforth, we are going to take our destiny into our hands as young Yoruba people across the World to crush these agents of the devil in Yorubaland before it is too late. Armed groups in South South, North are doing this, protecting their values and culture, their land, so what are we Yoruba youths waiting for?
“We shall defend peace, progress and harmony in Yorubaland by all means necessary.
“That the Central Working Committee hereby sets up an underground movement codenamed ‘OJOLA’ to, among other things compile the names of religious provocateur, promoters of religious hate and names of their immediate family members which we shall deal with decisively before they plunge Yorubaland into chaos,” the OIMUCC said, according to the communiqué.
Christians silent on warning by OIMUCC
The DEFENDER’s messages requesting reactions to the OIMUCC’s warning from President of Christian Association of (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, Lagos State Branch Chairman of CAN, Bishop Stephen’s Adegbite, and a journalist-turned cleric and Spokesman of the World Bishops’ Council (WBC) in Africa, Bishop Seun Adeoye, were yet to be responded to as at the time of filing this report.
MSS, NACOMYO, Northern Muslims react
But Muslims from across Islamic groups including the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), National Council of Muslim Youths (NACOMYO) and others from Northern Nigeria, in their reactions, warned what one of them called “the so-called meta lokan” to desist from running threat against Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC Executive Director, as he said they will be held responsible if anything should happen to the retired don of Lagos State University (LASU).
In the views, some Yoruba Muslim youths from NACOMYO and MSS said there could nothing more than comedy acted in the OIMUCC’s statement they described as “though unpopular but must not be dismissed without a response”.
Although they spoke separately, all of the Muslim youths spoke in one voice saying at any attack on Professor Ishaq Akintola, his family or members of MURIC will mean attack on all Muslims in Yoruba Land and Nigeria.
They, therefore, called on security agents to “go after those behind the threat”.
Particularly, a Muslim youth from the North, who said his identity meant nothing but his message, insisted that those members of O’odua Isedale-Muslim-Christian Council “should watch their words as Muslims in Nigeria will not take it lightly with anyone that has threatened should anything happen to either their very cherished and revered Professor Ishaq Lakin Akintola, his family or any member of his Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),” he said.
