From Dispatch Room
The Muslim Rights Concern has accused Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke of dodging what it described as the real issues raised against his administration over alleged marginalisation of Muslims in the state.
In a statement issued on Monday, June 15, 2026, MURIC’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the governor’s response to earlier allegations failed to address key concerns raised by the organisation.
MURIC had earlier accused the Adeleke administration of short-changing Muslims in political appointments and alleged that the governor had made a mockery of Islamic practices. The Osun State Government, through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, rejected the allegations and accused MURIC of misinformation.
Responding to the state government’s rebuttal, Akintola said the government merely listed some Muslim appointees without providing a full breakdown of the religious composition of the state cabinet.
According to him, the central issue remains MURIC’s claim that Adeleke appointed 17 Christians as commissioners against seven Muslims. He challenged the state government to publish the full list of commissioners, chairmen of boards and heads of parastatals for public scrutiny.
Akintola argued that the government’s failure to provide its own figures amounted to avoiding the main allegation. He said Osun Muslims deserved clarity on the structure of appointments under the administration.
The MURIC leader also accused the state government of failing to respond to the group’s allegation regarding what it described as the governor’s “double religious identity.” He said the silence of the government on that matter was troubling and called on Adeleke to apologise to Nigerian Muslims if his conduct had offended them.
Akintola denied allegations that MURIC was working for the All Progressives Congress or any political party. He said the organisation’s concern was the protection of Muslim rights and representation, not partisan politics.
He further stated that MURIC had raised three major issues against the governor: alleged lopsidedness in political appointments, alleged double religious identity and questions about financial management. He claimed the government only responded to one of the issues and did so inadequately.
The group maintained that religion remains a sensitive matter and urged the governor to handle public religious conduct with greater care.
Akintola said the matter had gone beyond Osun Muslims, arguing that Muslims across Nigeria were concerned about what the group viewed as disrespect toward Islamic identity and rights.
MURIC said the 2026 governorship election would give Osun voters an opportunity to pass judgment on the performance and conduct of the Adeleke administration.
The latest statement deepens the exchange between MURIC and the Osun State Government as political activities intensify ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
— Newspot Nigeria
