A deepening crisis is threatening the peace and stability of Ogbomoso, as a dispute over the imamship of the Central Mosque has escalated into a full-blown conflict.
The Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Pastor Ghandi Olaoye Orumogege III, has sparked tensions within the Muslim community by attempting to remove the widely respected Grand Chief Imam, Dr. Teliat Yunus Ayilara II, despite two court injunctions restraining such action.
According to Alhaji (Chief) Akintoye AbdusSalam Olla, Chairman of the Ogbomoso Muslim Community, the Palace’s actions have been provocative and inflammatory.
“Oba Ghandi’s refusal to advise family dissidents to approach the Court of Law to prove their allegations has fueled rebellion and made the palace a studio for recording provocative videos and casting aspersions on the personality of the Grand Chief Imam, Dr. Teliat Yunus,” he said.
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Furthermore, Alhaji Olla alleged that the monarch has mobilized palace chiefs to support a parallel Eid ground during Eidul Fitr celebrations, in defiance of a gentleman’s agreement reached at the residence of Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta states, Alhaji Daud Makanjuola Akinola, in the presence of the Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal, and all heads of security agencies in Oyo State.
The situation has been further exacerbated by the monarch’s issuance of baseless queries to the Imam for attending Hajj without his ‘permission’, the turbanning of a rival ‘Palace Imam’ without a Palace Mosque, and the delivery of inflammatory speeches revealing a grand plot to oust the Grand Chief Imam and undermine Islam in Ogbomoso.
“The Muslim community is increasingly agitated, and community elders are making efforts to maintain peace,” Alhaji Olla said.
“However, the followership of the Grand Chief Imam transcends all boundaries, making this a potential national security issue requiring swift attention.”
The Ogbomoso Muslim Community has called for prompt intervention to prevent further escalation, urging authorities to take immediate action to rein in the monarch and restore peace and stability to the community.
“We are on the brink of chaos, and it’s imperative that something is done now to prevent bloodshed,” Alhaji Olla warned. “We appeal to the authorities to intervene and restore peace to our community,” he said.
