Osun Govt Dismisses MURIC’s Allegation of Muslim Marginalisation
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The Osun State Government has dismissed allegations by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) that Governor Ademola Adeleke is marginalising Muslims in his administration, describing the claim as misleading and lacking factual basis.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the government urged MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, to verify information before making public statements.
Alimi said Governor Adeleke has demonstrated inclusiveness in governance and has appointed qualified Muslims to several key positions in the state administration.
“We believe Professor Akintola acted on misinformation or is actively an agent of misinformation. Governor Adeleke is a strong believer who relates well with people of all faiths, in line with the inclusive leadership example of Prophet Muhammad (SAW),” the commissioner stated.
The government cited the appointments of Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye as Secretary to the State Government and Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye as Chief of Staff as evidence of Muslim representation at the highest levels of government.
According to the statement, several other Muslims currently serve as commissioners and heads of agencies, alongside appointees from other religious backgrounds.
Alimi also highlighted projects undertaken by the administration which he said directly benefit the Muslim community.
“This administration commenced the construction of the Osun Hajj Camp, ending Osun’s status as the only Southwest state without one. The governor also approved the construction of a mosque within the Government House for Muslim staff,” he said.
The commissioner urged the MURIC leader to be guided by the teachings of Islam, particularly Qur’an 49:6, which encourages believers to verify information before acting upon it.
“We urge Professor Akintola to verify facts before going public, as admonished in Qur’an 49:6,” Alimi said.
He further argued that political campaigns and electoral contests should focus on governance and development issues rather than religion.
“Elections should be about jobs, security, infrastructure, healthcare and education, not identity politics. We expect MURIC to judge this administration by its record of service to all citizens, Muslim and non-Muslim alike,” he added.
The state government also accused Akintola of disguising political attacks as religious advocacy.
“Rather than feign his political attack with religious coloration, Professor Akintola should be courageous enough to declare his partisan interest in the opposition APC and stop using religion to do hatchet-job politics,” the statement said.
Alimi further challenged MURIC to publicly condemn recent shootings allegedly carried out by APC supporters in Ile-Ife, Akoda, Owode-Ede and Osogbo.
“We challenge MURIC to openly condemn the shooting of law-abiding residents, both Muslims and non-Muslims, by APC thugs in branded APC campaign vehicles in various parts of the state if it wishes to disprove allegations of political bias,” he stated.
The government also called on the group to pay attention to issues surrounding the credentials of the APC governorship candidate rather than, in its view, spreading unsubstantiated allegations against Governor Adeleke.
The statement concluded by reiterating the administration’s commitment to serving all residents of Osun State without discrimination based on religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.