The Oyo State Government has faulted the allegation by the Muslim Rights Concern that Governor Seyi Makinde is anti-Islam, saying actions speak louder than words.

The government, in a statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, on Thursday, said the allegation “falls flat on its face.”

Olanrewaju said, “One of the oldest principles of justice is that actions speak louder than words. By that standard, the allegation by the Muslim Rights Concern that Governor Seyi Makinde is anti-Islam falls flat on its face.”

He said enemies of Islam do not build mosques years before seeking public office, employ imams, organise and support Islamic programmes, donate buses to Muslim organisations or recognise the Islamic New Year with a public holiday.

“And they certainly do not worship alongside Muslims before undertaking a public project and then fulfil a public commitment to rebuild a mosque affected by that project. Yet, these are precisely some of the actions associated with Governor Makinde,” he added.

According to the statement, long before becoming governor, Makinde built the Omituntun Mosque and employed a resident imam, adding that for years, the Omituntun family maintained engagement with the Muslim community through Ramadan lectures and other Islamic programmes.

“This is significant because it predates political power, state resources and any ambition for higher office. It was undertaken at a time when there was no public office to defend and no election to contest.

“Why would a man allegedly driven by anti-Muslim prejudice invest his personal resources in building and maintaining a mosque years before becoming governor?” the statement asked.

Olanrewaju noted that one of the strongest tests of sincerity is what a person does before acquiring power, stressing that actions taken before there are votes to win often reveal more about an individual than accusations made during political contests.

He challenged critics to name any Islamic practice abolished, Muslim institution proscribed, Islamic celebration banned or Muslim right withdrawn by the Makinde administration since 2019.

“The answer is simple: none. On the contrary, his administration formally recognised the significance of the Islamic calendar by declaring a work-free day to commemorate Hijrah, the Islamic New Year,” Olanrewaju said.

On allegations regarding Christmas carols in schools and attendance at Christian crusades, the government said they remained mere allegations.

“These are serious claims. However, no official directive, circular, executive instruction or policy of the Oyo State Government has been produced showing that Governor Makinde ordered or approved the alleged forcing of Muslim students or teachers to participate in Christmas carol activities or Christian crusades,” Olanrewaju said.

Drawing attention to the demolition of the Adogba Central Mosque during the reconstruction of the Iwo Road Interchange, the government said critics often fail to mention that the governor personally visited the mosque before demolition, joined Muslims in worship, explained why the structure had to give way and publicly committed to rebuilding it.

He added that Makinde fulfilled the commitment and handed over the rebuilt mosque, with modern facilities, to the community.

“The commissioning of the mosque was attended by eminent Muslim leaders, including the Sultan of Sokoto, the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims. Would the Sultan publicly align himself with a programme meant to estrange Muslims? The answer is a loud ‘No’,” the statement added.

The government said that to date, no evidence had been presented to show that Makinde abolished any Islamic practice, revoked any right enjoyed by Muslims, dismantled any Islamic institution or adopted any policy designed to restrict the practice of Islam.

“What the public record shows instead is a longstanding pattern of engagement with the Muslim community, support for Islamic activities, recognition of the Islamic New Year, assistance to Muslim organisations and the rebuilding of the Adogba Mosque after its demolition became necessary for a major infrastructure project.

“The available facts tell a story of inclusion rather than exclusion, engagement rather than hostility,” Olanrewaju said.

He added that if Makinde’s conduct before and during his tenure was any indication, there was every reason to believe that, if elected President, he would continue to uphold the constitutional rights of all Nigerians, regardless of religion.