..maintain it's a family crisis, not religious

..cite tradition of monarchy appointing chief imams since 1818

Muslim leaders in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, under the aegis of the Ogbomoso Committee on Islamic Affairs have warned those speaking against the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, to desist from doing so in a Sahara reporters news story. 

There is a rift between the monarch and the Chief Imam of the town, which was escalated following a query issued by the Soun of Ogbomoso to the Islamic cleric.

 Last week, the monarch queried the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Sheikh Taliat Yunus Olusina Ayilara, for failing to notify him before embarking on the recent Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. 

But the Islamic cleric in his response to the query said his office was not under the control of the monarch.

However, the Ogbomoso Committee on Islamic Affairs in a statement on Sunday said since 1818 that the first Chief Imam was appointed, “appointment and removal of Chief Imam of Ogbomoso has been at the discretion of the Soun".

The Muslim leaders disclosed that the Soun of Ogbomoso who appointed the first Chief Imam, Muhammed Nafiu from Abogunde Compound in Laka Area of the town in 1818 was not a Muslim, and that the tradition had remained since then. 

The Muslim Leaders, led by the Aare Musulumi of Ogbomoso, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Atanda Owodunni, said like other Chief Imams before now, the embattled Chief Imam Toliat Yunus Olusina, was appointed by the Soun of Ogbomoso.

The Aare Musulumi of Ogbomoso, who addressed the press in Ogbomoso on Saturday, in company with the Bashorun Musulumi of Ogbomoso, Alhaji Alimi Amole Shittu Sarumi; Asoju Musulumi, Alhaji Mikhail Muhammed Bello and Parakoyi Adini, Sirajudeen Alimi, said there had been controversies on the appointment of the Chief Imam before the incumbent Soun was enthroned. 

He disclosed that the Imam Ayilara family had been kicking against the candidacy of Toliat Yunus Olushina, even before his presentation and appointment by the immediate past Soun, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi.

The Aare Musulumi of Ogbomoso said, "Unknown to many, the Imam Ayilara family had been kicking against the candidacy of Toliat Yunus Olushina, even, before his presentation to the Kabiyesi but were allegedly prevented from seeing the Kabiyesi.

“A letter written to the Kabiyesi rejecting Toliat Yunus Olushina was never allowed to reach him. Despite his controversial turbaning, the Imam Ayilara family continued their agitation to His Imperial Majesty, Ajagungbade III who however joined his ancestors on the 12th December, 2021, exactly twenty–three days after Toliat Yunus Olusina was turbaned. 

"Traditionally, at the demise of a Soun, the Soun-in-Council automatically assumes the administration of the town until a new Soun is installed. Unrelenting, the Imam Ayilara family took their agitation to the Soun – in – Council, which after hearing their claim conducted investigations into the matter to know the fact. The Soun–in–Council was led by the Areago of Ogbomosoland. Their findings confirmed that Imam Toliat Yunus Olusina has a doubtful relationship with the Ayilara family.

"The Soun-in-Council thereby wrote a letter to Imam Toliat Yunus Olusina to step aside and go back to the Imam Ayilara family to sort out the issue with the family. But on receiving the step-aside letter from the Soun-in-Council, Imam Toliat Yunus Olushina immediately proceeded to a High Court in Ogbomoso, rejecting the said letter. However, he later withdrew the court case he instituted against the Soun –ini–Council. But he defiantly stayed put as the imam. An uneasy calm now pervaded the atmosphere amongst the Ogbomoso Muslims. 

"When a new Soun of Ogbomosoland was installed in September 2023, the Imam Ayilara family immediately took their complaint to the new Soun, who also instituted a fact-finding committee. He has the authority to do so since it is a mosque built and owned by his ancestors.

“He is eminently qualified to intervene as the traditional ruler of the ancient town. The committee that was set up in the palace was headed by High Chief Alhaji Kasali Oladipo, the Abese of Ogbomosoland. The report submitted by the Abese-led panel also confirmed the findings of the Soun –in–Council.

"At an elaborate meeting convened at the instance of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, involving all the Muslim groups in Ogbomosoland, the Abese again delivered his report to the hearings of all and sundry. 

“A decision was then taken by His Majesty that Imam Toliat Yunus Olushina in the light of the report of the Abese, should step aside and go back to the Imam Ayilara family to sort out the contentious issue with them, after which the Imam Ayilara family could re-present him to the palace if they eventually reached a compromise.

"To the surprise of all, instead of Imam Toliat Yunus to go back to the family, he headed to a High Court in Ogbomoso to challenge the decision of the palace based on the findings of the Abese panel of investigation. This step taken by Imam Toliat Yunus Olushina has polarized and has caused a deep division amongst the Ogbomoso Muslims.

“The social media is awash with various derogatory, abusive, insultive and defamatory remarks against the Soun, hurled by him and his cohorts, and we have witnessed reprehensible insubordination to the exalted throne of the Soun of Ogbomosoland."

Going memory lane on the appointment and installation of the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, the Ogbomoso Committee on Islamic Affairs said the first Chief Imam, Muhammed Nafiu, was appointed in 1818 by the Soun.

The Muslim leaders called on the public to discountenance false accusations being made against Oba Ghandi Olaoye, adding, "We shall not allow some extraneous forces to cause disaffection amongst us in Ogbomoso."

They said, "In every family compound in Ogbomoso, there are Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers enjoying strong bonds, and banded in harmonious relationship that has ensured we never had any division amongst us.

“We intermarry and celebrate every festival together as one united family. Any ruling house in Ogbomosoland whose turn it is to produce a candidate for the throne of Soun can present any candidate of their choice, be it a Christian, Muslim, or traditional worshipper. That is how we are made. But some people are attempting to destroy this foundation of harmony but this will fail."

Earlier reports have it on Saturday that Justice K.B. Olawoyin of the Oyo State High Court in Ogbomoso had barred the Soun of Ogbomoso and kingmakers from removing Ayilara as the Chief Imam.