‘Stop Injecting Religion Into Yorubaland Politics’ – Coalition Warns MURIC Leader Over Call For Muslim-Only Voting

A coalition of Yoruba groups, the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM), has issued a stern warning against what it described as attempts to inject religious sentiment into politics in Yorubaland, cautioning that such narratives could erode the region’s long-standing culture of unity and coexistence.

The warning follows recent comments by the leader of the Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC), Prof. Ishaq Akintola, who reportedly called on Muslims to support only Muslim candidates for governorship positions in Osun, Oyo, Lagos and Ogun states.

Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, the AYDM dismissed the position as divisive and out of tune with the political and social realities of the South-West.

The coalition, which reportedly comprises 130 Pan-Yoruba and Itsekiri groups, stated that “the Yoruba voters are liberal minded and far more intelligent than religious bigots whose main mission is to divide the South West along fractured faithlines.”

In the statement signed by its General Secretary, Popoola Ajay, and Secretary for Mobilisation, Suleiman Sanusi, the group described Akintola’s remarks as “a highly irresponsible statement coming from an old man with a very little mind and a warped sense of reasoning.”

“We are shocked by what looked like a teleguided statement coming from one Akintola asking Yoruba Muslims to vote for only Muslim Governors in Osun, Lagos, Oyo and Ogun States,” the coalition said, warning that such rhetoric could provoke a dangerous cycle of religious alignment in electoral choices.

The AYDM argued that promoting faith-based voting could trigger counter-reactions from other religious groups, thereby deepening divisions.

“If Akintola was intelligent, he would have known that asking voters to vote only for Muslim candidates in those states is an indirect call for non-Muslim voters to vote against Muslim candidates,” the statement read. “What would happen if Christians and traditional worshippers also ask their members to vote for candidates of their faith in Yorubaland?”

The coalition further accused Akintola of consistently attempting to polarise the region, stating that “Akintola has tried in vain to polarise Yoruba land with his volatile and senseless rhetoric.”

“He is on a veageance mission against Muslims, traditional worshippers and Christians in Yorubaland,” the coalition said.

Urging a return to the region’s tradition of religious tolerance, the AYDM noted that faith has historically not been a determinant of political leadership in the South-West. It pointed to past political developments where candidates across religious divides enjoyed broad support, including the late Moshood Abiola and incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Muslims, Christians and traditional worshippers in Yorubaland are one family. They have shared history, common ancestry and the same destiny aimed at building a strong, peaceful and prosperous Yoruba Nation,” the coalition stated.

The group also called on Akintola to emulate established Islamic organisations in the region that have contributed to development without promoting division.

“Akintola should learn from NASFAT, Ansaudeen and other responsible Muslim groups in Yorubaland who for decades have contributed to the development of Yoruba people without consideration for faith,” it said.

Beyond criticism of his recent comments, the AYDM questioned the structure and leadership style of MURIC, alleging a lack of internal democracy.

“Akintola behaves like a despot. He has been the supreme leader of MURIC for decades. He has no Secretary, no treasurer and no deputy. His organisation had never in almost half a century conducted any election. He is the life leader of MURIC. How can a dictator speak on democratic tradition and norms?” the statement queried.

The coalition also accused Akintola of selective advocacy on security issues, alleging that he had failed to condemn killings affecting both Muslims and Christians in the region.

“He is quick to claim Muslim persecution in Yorubaland but silent on the attempts to overthrow President Tinubu by some Muslim officers from the North while he was mute when over 160 Yoruba Muslims and Christians were killed in Kwara State,” it said.

Drawing a broader comparison, the AYDM added, “Akintola should learn from what is going on in the Middle East where Muslim and Christian nations unite with Israel to fight a fellow Muslim country of Iran which confirms that what matters most in local and international political economy is not religion but permanent economic interests.”

The coalition concluded by urging security agencies “to investigate Akintola and find out his real sponsors and to establish his possible link with terrorism.”

Reaffirming its stance, the AYDM stressed that preserving interfaith harmony remains essential to the region’s stability, warning that divisive rhetoric must not be allowed to undermine decades of shared identity and peaceful coexistence in Yorubaland.

Earlier, it was reported that MURIC demanded that Muslims be also considered for deputy governorship positions in Ekiti and Ondo states.

“South West Muslims are saying any political party that fails to present a Muslim as its gubernatorial candidate should kiss Muslim votes goodbye,” the group earlier said.(SaharaReporters)