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By Samson Gbenga Ogunwoye
Being an individual whose core ideas pertinaciously align with traditional values, I initially joined the dissenting voices echoing against the idea of having a pastor to man the revered traditional stool of Soun, but before his appointment, the King directly and indirectly espoused that he would be with all and for all. His actions and decisions so far have radiated the fact.
Upon hearing that he was coming to have a meeting with Ogbomoso Indigenes in the UK on the 14th of July 2024, I abandoned my academic and work activities to be part of the programme. That day, I was clearly assured that Ogbomoso made a right choice. Kabiyesi articulately presented his 25-year agenda; the practicality of his presentation was spectacular, and I quickly told myself I would definitely be part of this progress. Kabiyesi was not only full of words; his actions were also audacious as he became pragmatic in his approach.
The resuscitation of tap water in Ogbomoso was an epoch-making step; some areas in the city are already having access to pipeborne water. His continuous visitations to different royal fathers to enhance unity were unprecedented. The Ogbomoso cradle carnival became a sore to the eyes of every unlooker.
Nonetheless, nothing has posed significant hurdles to the laudable plans and implementation than the rancour within the Ayilara family that has left Kabiyesi with no choice but to take a side. There is hardly a king in Yoruba land that emerges in a few decades without one challenge or the other; the Imanship issue is the unfair share of the Ogbomoso people.
Seeing a vibrant young man become an imam in my country home elevates my pride. It became fascinating when he bagged his PhD degree; as people, we couldn’t have desired more than this. It gives a sense of confidence that he would be able to give us a befitting representation anywhere he goes.
From the beginning, I was indeed a fan of Imam Taliat. I grew resentful when the issue of paternity arose. Regardless of how good you are, I would not support a usurper claiming what does not belong to him. The agitation against Imam Taliat became loud when Ayilara family members argued about his paternal origin, and I joined other pure breeds of Ogbomoso to suggest that if he’s truly not from the family, he shouldn’t be allowed to lead the Ummah in the land.
Kabiyesi Orumogege was caught in this kerfuffle, and the evidence before him made him to inform the family to have an in-house settlement, but along the line, Imam Taliat aggravated the situation with his continuous outbursts. I would confidently opine that youthful exuberance took the better part of him during the period.
On the other hand, Imam Taliat was quick to head to court to halt any attempt to strip him of the position; I would say the move showed that the Imam was battle ready, and he did not waste any opportunity to publicly display his show of strength. His actions and utterances practically divided the Muslim communities and also pitched some groups of Muslims against the Christian communities, things that are unheard of in Ogbomoso land until this period.
Truly, Imam Taliat’s affront was an effrontery against the Soun Stool; his several claims on the power and authority of Soun over the Imanship title and the Central Mosque are demeaning, to say the least. Would I blame him? Maybe not; nobody would live happily seeing a knife is positioned on his throat, although while his activities were highly divisive, if he did not confront the challenge headlong, he would probably be a removed Imam today. I would consider all his actions and utterances as a survival tactic; anyone could have done that if faced with life- and image-threatening challenges.
“You can’t expect me to queue behind you for prayer as a king when you’ve taken me to court;” Kabiyesi was also right in that sense. While Imam Taliat was struggling to protect himself, Kabiyesi’s actions and inactions are geared toward protecting the revered throne of Soun. The decision of Kabiyesi to select an Imam from the same family for the Palace is highly justified because the void in the palace must be filled.
Kabiyesi has not erred in anyway; he insisted that the paternity issue must be resolved while also trying to protect the throne against some grave allegations made by the Imam. On the other hand, the Imam has committed so many blunders, which he also admitted, but to my best of understanding, he was merely fighting for his survival, and the first law of nature is the law of self-survival. Anyone could do that when faced with such a challenge.
While I sincerely appeal that the mistakes should be forgiven, I believe the issue of paternity must be judiciously and objectively resolved, and the Ayilara family needs to be sincere to all the sons and daughters; they owed us sincerity, impartiality and honesty for the sake of the town. If there are internal crises that have led to the disagreement, the two camps should be magnanimous enough to give peace a chance for the sake of the progress of the ancient town.
In all, we would all appeal to Kabiyesi to forgive; the Iman has erred, but just like the elders would say, nobody would walk without having his head shaken. The elders would also remind us that if we chose not to forget the altercation of yesterday, we might end up having no friend to walk with today. To err is human; we all go beyond the line one way or the other at one point, but forgiveness is a hallmark of humanity.
If the crisis tarry, it might constitute a significant bane to the unity and progress of Ogbomoso; this might negatively impact the actualisation of the laudable 25 years of development of our beloved Kings. That is my concern. I think nothing is too much to sacrifice for the sake of the town; we all need to bury the hatchets and give unity and peace a chance.
Palace Imam could still maintain his status and be a steward of Kabiyesi while the Imam of Ogbomoso reigns supreme over the Ummah. The fact that there is an Imam in Aso Rock does not invalidate the superiority of the Imam of Abuja Central Mosque; the sky is wide enough for an eagle and egret to perch without one saying no to the other. Kabiyesi, I think it is time to let go. From your humble subject.
Ogunwoye Gbemiga Samson,
Ile Odelade, Ita Alasa.
Writing from the United Kingdom.
ogunwoyesamson@gmail.com
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