Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has directed the immediate reopening of the Ikare Akoko Central Mosque, which had remained shut for nearly four years.
The governor issued the directive on Tuesday during the state government’s annual Ramadan Iftar held at the Dome International Event Centre in Alagbaka, Akure.
Aiyedatiwa also affirmed that the Grand Chief Imam of Ikare, Sheikh Abubakar Muhammed Abbas, should continue to lead Islamic prayers and religious activities in the community.
He urged key stakeholders, including the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh, the Grand Mufti of Ikare and Ondo State, Sheikh Shehu Batuta, and the Chief Imam, Sheikh Abubakar, to ensure the mosque’s reopening is carried out in an atmosphere of peace, unity and mutual respect.
The Chief Imam’s position was recently reaffirmed following his appointment by the Ondo State League of Imams and Alfas through a special committee headed by Sheikh Batuta.
The mosque was initially shut on October 18, 2022, under the administration of former governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, following rising tensions linked to a leadership dispute within the Ikare Muslim community.
The crisis stemmed from an alleged attempt by the Ikare Muslim Council to remove Sheikh Abubakar as Grand Chief Imam, a move that sparked disagreement and heightened security concerns after it was resisted by several Islamic groups within the town and across the state.
Aiyedatiwa’s announcement was met with applause at the Iftar gathering, attended by prominent religious and traditional leaders, including the Olukare and Sheikh Batuta.
The decision has also drawn widespread reactions on social media, with many residents commending the governor and offering prayers in support of the move.
Observers say the reopening of the mosque is expected to restore harmony within the community and foster renewed spiritual engagement among residents of Ikare-Akoko.