CITIZENS COMPASS—An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has cautioned Nigerian Muslims to be wary of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group reminded Nigerians of the governor’s past anti-Muslim atrocities. It concluded that Makinde would use Muslim votes to become president but he would turn around to persecute Muslims the same way he persecuted them as the Governor of Oyo State.
”The governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has thrown his hat into the ring. He is currently contesting the post of president of this country under the banner of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) party. To make his desire a fait accompli, he has been gallivanting from the remotest corners of Nigeria to its farthest, campaigning.
”We are surprised that Seyi Makinde wants to lead a multi-religious country like Nigeria where the Muslims form the majority after committing tonof atrocities against the Muslims.
”MURIC cannot stand akimbo while Makinde goes to Northern Muslims to solicit for their votes when he is busy depriving the brothers and sisters of the same Northern Muslims in his state their Allah-given fundamental human rights. We are absolutely certain that he will do worse for Nigerian Muslims if he has access to the keys of Aso Rock.
”Having succeeded in subjecting Oyo State Muslims to political marginalization, economic deprivation and religious persecution, Seyi Makinde is now on a mission to undermine the growth of Islam in Nigeria as a whole.
”In case the Oyo State maximum ruler has forgotten, we will remind him of just a few of his anti-Muslim atrocities.
”Number One: In spite of pleas from Islamic organizations and Muslim leaders, Makinde bulldozed two mosques in Ibadan within weeks of each other: Olore Mosque and Adogba Central Mosque until they came down in rubbles. That was in October 2019.
“Number Two: to rebuild the Adogba Central Mosque which was formerly at a strategic roundabout in Iwo Road, Ibadan, the governor relocated the rebuilt mosque deep inside an uncelebrated neighbourhood several streets away. Not only that, he put his name conspicuously on the mosque as the philanthropist who built it.
”Although MURIC demanded evidence of his personal expenditure if he truly sponsored the rebuilding of the mosque or the removal of his name
”His name remains on the mosque’s wall till today. That, to us, is executive fraud, until the Governor can prove beyond reasonable doubt that the mosque was not built with tax payers’ money. How can a serial mosque destroyer lead a majority Muslim country? But Makinde is out there trying to deceive Nigerians, particularly the Muslims in the North with his skyscraper turbans.
”Number Three: Makinde encouraged Christian teachers to force Muslim students and Muslim teachers to sing Christmas carol “But he grew aggressive when MURIC challenged this practice and sent the state’s DSS after MURIC’s Executive Director. This shows that Makinde will misuse state security personnel to go after Muslim clerics anywhere in Nigeria if he ever becomes president (”Number 4: Under Makinde’s watch,
European Christian evangelists, especially
Reinhard Bonnke’s ministry (led by his successor, Daniel Kolenda) were imported into the state. They visited several public schools and preached to students. Muslim students were forced to attend the Christian crusades held on open fields as attendance was made compulsory.
“Number Five: Apart from sidelining Muslims in the state by appointing only five Muslims as commissioners as against eleven Christians, Makinde still went ahead to appoint only one Muslim as board chairman while he appointed five Christians as board chairmen
”Can such a man be fair to Muslims if made president? Makinde will be an anti-Muslim president. The leopard does not change its skin. An anti-Muslim governor today will be an anti-Muslim president tomorrow. Don’t give him Muslim votes because he is most likely to persecute Muslims when he becomes president.
”Nigerian Muslims must not make a second mistake. We must ignore the bread-and-butter-motivated persuasions of a few Muslims working with him. Makinde needs Muslim votes today but he will use the votes against us tomorrow. Nigerian MUSLIMS should not fall for Makinde’s gimmicks”
