Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has ordered the reopening of the Ikare-Akoko Central Mosque, which had been closed since October 18, 2022, following a leadership dispute.
Aiyedatiwa gave the order on Tuesday in Akure at the annual Iftar Ramadan fast prayer tagged “Iftar With Mr Governor”, organised by the state government in conjunction with the State Muslim Welfare Board.
He directed Sheikh Abubakar Muhammed Abbas, the Chief Imam of the town before the closure, to continue to lead islamic prayers and activities in the town.
“Today, as Kabiyesi, Oba Akadri Momoh, the Olukare of Ikare, Grand Mufti himself, and the chief imam of Ikare are present, I want to declare that the central mosque of Ikare is declared open.
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“Then, the Chief Imam of Ikare will lead the prayer in the mosque in the spirit of love and unity,” Aiyedatiwa said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abubakar was recently appointed as the State Vice Chairman of the Ondo State League of Imams and Alfas by a committee.
The committee was chaired by Grand Mufti of Ondo State, Sheikh Shehu Batuta
NAN also reports that the mosque was shut down by the former, late Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to prevent violence in the town due to leadership tussles to remove the imam.
NAN
