Soun vs Chief Imam: 2 Imams emerge in Ogbomoso

*We can’t have 2 Chief Imams — MURIC
*Kings role advisory— Olugbon

By Laolu Elijah

IBADAN — LIKE a needle dropped in the river that generates unending spiral effects, the crisis between the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Olaoye and the embattled Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Sheik Olushina Ayilara appears to have defied all workable solutions despite several mediatory efforts to quench the simmering imbroglio.

Just as peacemakers are working tirelessly to put an end to the crisis, it has further been escalated by the appointment of a new palace Imam, Sheik Habib Ayilara.

Though Oba Olaoye has made it succinctly clear that his action does not constitute contempt of court, because he did not remove the Chief Imam, his opponents, especially the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, alleged that it was meant to circumvent the court process.

Soun appoints new Palace Imam

During the appointment of the new Imam in the presence of a large population of Muslims in the community, including the Parakoyi of Ogbomosoland, Alhaji Sirajudeen Aleem and other Muslim leaders, Alhaji Aleem, the Soun clarified that the new Imam would be the Imam of the Oba.

Parakoyi said: “We are not acting in contempt of the court because the matter is in court, it is the court that will tell us if Imam Teliat is Imam Ogbomoso or not. We are not removing him (Alhaji Teliat) as Chief Imam Ogbomoso, he is still, because the matter is in court, but the Imam of the Soun is the one we are turbaning. Listen to me, he is Imam of the palace, of all the Soun royal houses.”

Corroborating the stance of Alhaji Aleem, Oba Ghandi, explained that “Soun Ogunlola who founded the throne was a pure traditionalist; he worshipped Ogun deity. We Christians and Muslims are just intruding so to say; it originally belonged to the traditional religion worshipers so we should encourage religious harmony. It neither belongs to either of us Christians nor Muslims; they are only lending us the throne.

“Let me clear that this event is not the bus stop, we are yet to reach our destination. The bus only stopped to pick up someone. I have refused to remove him (Chief Imam Teliat) despite him taking me to court. But I told him you can’t take me to court and be leading me in prayer, we don’t go to court and become friends. You that took me to court your intention is to win, to win against the Oba, and you call yourself an indigene of this town. Such prayer can’t be answered I believe. I am a pastor, if I take my member to court will I lead in prayer and such member will say amen?”

The monarch further said: “This event is historical. The person we installed today, we conducted thorough research and we don’t want to make such a mistake again. I have been an alfa (pastor) for 32 years; I believe Imam Teliat was still wearing pants then. That is the truth. And as Christians, we don’t mount the pulpit to abuse a king, I don’t know your religion much but in Christendom, we don’t do that, although some pastors say nonsense too.

“Parakoyi has been leading prayer in the palace and representing me, but I told him we need an Imam who will be representing me where I am invited regarding religious matters.”

We can’t have 2 Chief Imams— MURIC

The Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, has criticized Soun saying, “On Friday, August 30, 2024, Soun appointed one Habib Ayilara as the ‘Chief Imam’ of his palace. This is a democracy; nobody can gag us except a competent court of law. Soun has had his way; Nigerian Muslims must have their say. Soun’s most recent action is a subterfuge to weaken Islam, a stratagem to enslave Muslims and a chicanery to exploit the Muslim population of Ogbomoso.

“Besides, the Soun has committed titular inexactitude and monarchical hara-kiri by giving the title ‘Chief Imam’ to a man appointed only as palace Imam. There is no vacancy in the Chief Imamate of Ogbomoso because there can be only one Chief Imam in a city of the calibre of Ogbomoso and that post has been filled by Chief Imam Ayilara.

“Therefore, the correct title of the new Imam is ‘Palace Imam’ Habib Ayilara. He is the king’s special Imam, not the Chief Imam. After all, many individual Muslims are known to have separate mosque buildings in their compounds and they appoint Islamic scholars as their Imams.

“We warn the new palace Imam to be wary of the king’s tactics. He must not allow the palace pastor to mislead him. However, out of meanness and pettiness, the king has made his private Imam the official Imam to be recognized by the Oyo State Government.

“Of course, it is strange for a pastor king to have an Imam but since there is a mosque inside the palace, it is to have a Ratibi Imam (Imam of a branch mosque, not that of a Central Mosque). This is where the Soun has exhibited his zero knowledge of Islamic matters. Unfortunately, those who know better and who should have counselled him, elected to dance to the gallery.

“Nonetheless, Nigerians must look at Soun’s action as an attempted ‘coup’ against the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso. It also constitutes an incitement of Ogbomoso chiefs against their chief Imam. It is equally seen as an intimidation of holders of Islamic titles and the harassment of the League of Imams into submission. Interestingly, it tantamounts to contempt of court, when properly interpreted, particularly if the court’s pronouncement included maintenance of the status quo.

“We urge the Muslims of Ogbomoso not to fall for the king’s divide-and-rule tactics. Soun’s subterfuge is designed to weaken Islam and enslave and exploit the Muslim population. We know where Pastor Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, the Soun of Ogbomoso, is going. The body language is very clear. He aims to make his palace Imam the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso.

“He has appointed a palace Imam but where is his palace bishop? Nigerians must ponder over this scandalous manipulation. His stratagem is to put his feet on the Chief Imam’s neck.

“The destiny of the Muslims of Ogbomoso in particular and that of Yoruba Muslims is in their hands. They can only be free when they resist attempts being made to divide and debilitate them. But their method of resistance must be civilized, peaceful, lawful and constitutional.

Olugbon opposes Oba Ghandi

In a new twist to the crisis, the issue has drawn the attention of the Vice Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Francis Alao, who said he took exception to the actions of Oba Ghandi saying, traditional rulers lack executive power over Chief Imams or other religious leaders. The monarch, who is the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, aligned with Sheik Olushina Ayilara, asking MURIC to calm down.

“As a major stakeholder in Ogbomoso and the Vice Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, I can confirm that stakeholders in Ogbomoso are working hard to ensure that the Muslim community in Ogbomoso is not allowed to be divided. I assure MURIC and other Nigerians are concerned about the ugly development that we will not sit by and allow the promotion of division in the Ogbomoso Muslim community.”

“Besides, there is a pending suit on the matter in the court of law which means that Sheik Tahilat Ayilara remains the Chief Imam except the court decides otherwise. I call on those fanning embers of division to desist, otherwise, they will meet their waterloo. As a foremost traditional ruler, I am fully aware that monarchs do not have executive power over Chief Imams or other religious leaders.

“Our roles over religious groups, associations and others in our kingdoms are advisory. Only the government has the constitutional right to remove a properly installed religious leader, and such decision must follow the constitutional process.”

“As Obas”, he emphasized, ”we are custodians of our culture and traditions, rightly promoting our values and heritage. Traditional rulers in Oyo State are not partisan on religious affairs.
“Aside from community leaders, the Oyo State Government does not interfere in religious issues. It is fair to both Muslim and Christian communities.

“Traditional rulers should be guided so they won’t fan the ember of division in their kingdoms. We should stand on the path of truth. “I, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, stand with the only Chief Imam Ayilara. Let him continue to perform his duties as the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso because he is the one chosen by the Muslim community”, he said.

As things stand, it is obvious that the ‘movie’ is yet to end, whichever way the court allows its pendulum of justice to swing, the question on every lip is ‘can there be two Imams in Ogbomoso? Time will tell.

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