– As Adeleke’s Seventh Day Adventist Church causes disruptions
* Threat to religious freedom and social cohesion: MPAC boss
Tensions are rising in Ede, Osun State, following the controversial halt of a mosque construction project at Ede High School.
Two prominent Muslim bodies – the Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, and the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Osun State Area Unit – have condemned what they describe as an illegal and unjustified interference in a lawfully approved religious project.
According to both organisations, the mosque construction had received formal authorisation from the Osun State Ministry of Education via a letter dated 11 June 2025 (Ref: P.PRY/390T/58).
Despite this, the project was abruptly stopped, allegedly under the influence of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and Dr. Deji Adeleke, a prominent figure in the state and father of popular hip-hop artiste, David Adeleke popularly known as Davido.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its Executive Chairman, Mal Kamor Disu, MPAC decried the disruption as “a threat to religious freedom and social cohesion,” warning that such actions undermine lawful religious expression and social equity.
“This incident is not merely about a building,” the statement read. “It is about whether the rule of law will be respected when it does not serve private interests. It is about whether the faith identity of Muslim students in public institutions can be dignified in the same manner others expect for themselves.”
MPAC expressed particular concern over what it described as “the weaponisation of influence against the rights of a vulnerable group,” asserting that the school’s initiative was both community-backed and legally approved.
“Let the mosque be built,” MPAC concluded, “not only with bricks and mortar, but with the courage of a society mature enough to uphold justice even when it is inconvenient.”
In a separate but similarly scathing statement, the MSSN Osun State Area Unit described the interference as “a call for anarchy.”
The student body claimed it had exercised restraint in the face of “audacious and provocative behaviour” from those opposed to the mosque, warning that the situation could escalate if not properly addressed.
“The audacity of the duo [Dr. Adeleke and the Adventist Church] was so irritating, odorous, and disgusting that it could lead to anarchy if we were not patient,” said Engr. Oyediran Asimiyu Amobi, MSSN State Amir, in the statement.
The MSSN accused Dr. Adeleke and his allies of overreaching their authority by obstructing a project on government-owned land, emphasising that the school had followed all legal procedures before beginning the construction.
“It is absurd, unethical, ill-advised, and wrongfully done,” the MSSN stated.
“The school did not embark on the said construction without passing through due process. The permission of the Osun State Ministry of Education was officially sought and granted.”
The students also alleged that former school officials, including a retired principal named Mr. Osundina and one Mr. Dare, were being used to enforce a religious agenda contrary to the demographics of the community.
“To our dismay, Ede, whose population is highly dominated by Muslims, is suffering religious bigotry in the hands of a few non-Muslims,” the statement noted.
Both MPAC and MSSN called on key authorities to intervene. MPAC urged Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Ministry of Education, the Inspector General of Police, and civic leaders to uphold the rule of law and protect constitutional rights. MSSN extended its call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and all “well-meaning Nigerians” to hold Dr. Adeleke accountable and prevent further escalation.
“Otherwise, his actions may ignite religious crisis in the State,” MSSN warned.
Both organisations called on the Ede Muslim Council to stand firm and ensure the mosque’s construction continues without hindrance. They urged calm, lawful conduct, and justice in addressing what they see as an infringement on the religious rights of the Muslim community in Ede.
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