The Oyo State Government has defended Governor Seyi Makinde against allegations of religious intolerance, pointing to his support for Islamic institutions and the reconstruction of a mosque demolished during a road project.
The government said Makinde's record of engagement with Muslim communities contradicted claims by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) that he was anti-Islam.
In a statement on Thursday, the governor's Media Adviser, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said Makinde's relationship with Muslims predated his assumption of office in 2019.
According to the government, the governor built the Omituntun Mosque and provided a resident Imam before entering politics, while his family maintained ties with Muslim communities through Ramadan lectures and other Islamic programmes.
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It also cited the declaration of a work-free day to mark Hijrah, the Islamic New Year, as evidence of the administration's recognition of Muslim religious practices.
The government challenged MURIC to provide evidence of any Islamic practice abolished, Muslim right withdrawn or Islamic institution proscribed under Makinde's administration.
It also dismissed allegations concerning Christmas carols in schools and the governor's attendance at Christian crusades, insisting that no official directive had been produced to establish that Muslim students or teachers were compelled to participate in Christian religious activities.
On the demolition of the Adogba Central Mosque during the reconstruction of the Iwo Road Interchange in Ibadan, the government said Makinde had visited the facility before its removal and explained the reasons for the exercise to worshippers.
It said the governor promised to rebuild the mosque and fulfilled the commitment by handing over a reconstructed facility equipped with modern amenities.
The government added that prominent Muslim leaders, including the Sultan of Sokoto, attended the commissioning ceremony.
It maintained that the governor's actions reflected religious inclusion rather than hostility towards Islam, arguing that his administration had neither withdrawn Muslims' rights nor introduced policies to suppress Islamic practices.
The statement further said Makinde's approach to religious diversity would guide his leadership if he eventually became Nigeria's President, assuring that Muslims, Christians and adherents of other faiths would be able to practise their religions freely.
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