Ogbomoso: Stop dragging Soun’s name, stool in mud, ruling houses warn Chief Imam
PanNigerianNews
3 min read
The crisis rocking the position of the Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, on Wednesday, took another dimension as the five ruling houses of Soun of Ogbomosoland warned the Chief Imam, Dr. Taleat Yunus Ayikara, to desist from dragging the stool of the Soun, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, in the mud on the crisis.
The ruling houses, represented by their heads (Mogajis), made the warning at a press conference themed “Enough is Enough” in Ogbomoso, calling, however, on the three religion adherents to pray fervently for the unity and development of the land.
The ruling houses and their heads are as follows: Prince Lamidi Itabiyi (Mogaji, Aburumaku), Prince Sikiru Oyelami (Mogaji, Gbagun), Prince Olawole Olaoye (Mogaji, Laoye), Prince Oyebamiji Oyedeji (Rep., Bolanta), Prince Ilufoye Olayode (Mogaji, Odunaro).
The Mogajis also said the issue of the imamship should not deter the 25 years’ development plan set by Oba Olaoye, noting that the topmost agenda of the first class king is the transformation of Ogbomoso.
The Mogajis said, “We are constrained to create this forum in order to address an issue of public importance. It is the grave matter of the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, which has become festering and has polarized the Muslim community and indeed the whole community.
“Initially, we took it with a pinch of salt that it will fizzle out naturally on the basis that it is a religious matter. We are bewildered and alarmed by the lies being peddled by the Chief Imam on the matter and more importantly, his dragging the Soun, Alayeluwa Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, into the matter and abusing the Kabiyesi. This, we take exception to.
“Our purpose this afternoon is to correct the wrong impression being peddled and to warn the Chief Imam to desist from further hurling invectives on the Kabiyesi. By abusing the Oba he is desecrating the exalted throne of Soun and by extension the people of Ogbomoso.”
The Mogajis, tracing the history of the matter, said, “The Imam Ayilara family alleged he is not a bonafide member of the family and the Kabiyesi set up different panels to look into it. The recommendation of the different panels is that he steps aside while he sorts out the matter with the family.
“The Kabiyesi refused to implement the recommendation after some eminent personalities, including Senator Ayo Adeseun and Dr. Saka Balogun, appealed on his behalf that they should be given seven days (which took effect from October 23rd, 2023) to make amends.
“But up till date, they never returned. However, instead of the matter to fade away, it is being exacerbated by the Chief Imam himself, as he refuses to toe the path of peace. Rather, he is abusing the Kabiyesi. Not only that, he instituted court cases against the Soun and the Soun-in-Council. This has never happened in the history of Ogbomoso that a Chief Imam will sue Soun to court. His insults against the Kabiyesi are infuriating.
“He should never mention Soun’s name in the imbroglio again because his utterances are distracting and creating disaffection.”
The family heads also said all the recent appointments he made are null and void, citing the Chief Imam inability to obtain the approval of the Soun in accordance with custom and tradition.
“For him to have taken Soun to court is sacrilegious! How can you sue someone who installed you? Soun’s stool has nothing to do with whether you are a Christian or Muslim; it is an institution that transcends such absurdity.
“Finally, we reaffirm the Ogbomoso Central Mosque is the property of Soun; it belongs to the King. We reiterate the Soun ruling houses express disapproval to the impudent acts of the Chief Imam, which is a defilement of the sanctity of the throne of our forefathers. However, we are constricted by the court cases and we await their verdicts.”
