The Ekiti State government has rescinded its decision to demolish four mosques built inside petrol stations in Ado Ekiti but with a condition that such mosques should neither be used for public or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.
