By Ismail Azeez
The Osun State Government has accused the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) of engaging in a misinformation campaign following allegations by the group that Governor Ademola Adeleke was marginalising Muslims in his administration.
The government, through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, said the claim by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola was misleading and urged him to verify facts before making public statements.
This was contained in a statement, advised Professor Akintola to be guided by the teachings of the Quran and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in his engagements with the state government.
According to statement, “Osun State Government has been drawn to a statement by the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Ishaq Akintola, accusing Governor Ademola Adeleke of marginalising Muslims in his administration.
“We believe Professor Akintola acted on misinformation or he 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). His administration has appointed qualified Muslims to key positions.
“For the record, Governor Adeleke appointed Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye as Secretary to the State Government and Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, a student of Sheikh Kamaludeen Al-Adabiyy in Ilorin, as Chief of Staff. His Spokesperson is a known Mallam of Tijaniya extraction. The Commissioner for Information is alone a deep muslim of Al-Adabiyy extraction. Several other Muslims are also serving as commissioners and heads of agencies, alongside qualified appointees of other faiths.
“This administration commenced construction of the Osun Hajj Camp, ending Osun’s status as the only Southwest state without one. The governor also approved a mosque in the Government House for Muslim staff.
“We urge Professor Akintola to verify facts before going public, as admonished in Qur’an 49:6.
“He should also assess government performance using verifiable data on budget execution, debt management by the DMO, and healthcare, where Osun was rated best in the Southwest for primary healthcare in 2024 and 2025.
“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”.
We challenge MURIC to openly condemn the shooting of law-abiding residents (Muslims and non Muslims) of the state by APC thugs in branded APC campaign vehicles in Ile-Ife, Akoda, Owode-Ede and Osogbo, to disprove the allegation that he’s been paid by the opposition to attack Governor Ademola Adeleke.”