Ogbomoso Chief Imam Begs Soun Over Dispute (Video)
A significant development unfolded in Ogbomoso as the Chief Imam, Sheik Olushina Ayilara, extended an olive branch to the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi, in a bid to restore peace following a long-standing dispute between the two prominent leaders.
The dispute, which had stirred tension within the ancient city, seemed to have reached a turning point when Sheikh Ayilara in a rare public gesture appealed for reconciliation during his Friday sermon.
In the video which has gone viral on social media, Sheikh Ayilara was captioned begging the monarch during his Jumuah sermon at the Ogbomoso Central Mosque on Friday, November 15th, 2024.
Osun Defender recalls that the traditional ruler has been at loggerheads with the chief Iman for the past few months.
However, the crisis escalated when the monarch queried the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso for failing to seek the traditional ruler’s permission before embarking on a Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
The Chief Imam was among the pilgrims from Nigeria who performed the 1445 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.
Soun, in the query, claimed that the Chief Imam did not inform him before he embarked on the journey.
The traditional ruler in the letter dated 10th June 2024, said that what the Chief Imam did was in contrast with the undertaking he signed before he became the Chief Imam.
You lack power to query me, Imam tackles monarch
Sheik Ayilara however in his response tackled the Soun, insisting that he lacked the power to query him.
Sheik Ayilara, in a defiant and strong-worded response to the query however rejected the monarch’s authority to query him, arguing that the position of Chief Imam is not a traditional title that falls under the authority of the traditional ruler.
Ayilara, in the letter signed by his secretary, Ogunleye Ajasa, insisted that as a Muslim and spiritual head of the Muslim community in Ogbomoso, he is not subjugating the rules regulating the practice of Islam. to Yoruba tradition and culture.
Soun moves to tame embattled cleric, Installs new chief Imam
Soun of Ogbomoso, in a move to tame Imam Ayilara, installed Sheikh Habeeb Ayilara, as Chief Imam of the palace.
The appointment made by the League of Imams and Alfas of Ogbomoso and other Muslim leaders, was approved by the Soun of Ogbomoso.
READ: Court Bars Soun Of Ogbomoso, Kingmakers Against Removing Chief Imam
Sheikh Habeeb Ayilara, who has been the choice of the Ayilara family whose turn it is to produce the Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, was turbaned in the presence of a large population of Muslims in the community, including the Parakoyi of Ogbomosoland, Alhaji Sirajudeen Aleem, Senator Fatai Buhari (represented by Alhaji Yekinni Woleola) and other Muslim leaders in the community.
However, the Parakoyi noted the new Imam would be for now the Chief Imam of Aafin Ogbomoso implying the embattled Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland Sheikh Teliat Yunus Olusina Ayilara’s position is intact though commentators explained there is more to it than meet the eye.
Oyo CP Moves For Reconciliation
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Ayodele Sonubi had tried his best to broker a truce between the Soun and the Chief Imam.
To forestall any breakdown of law and order, the Commissioner of Police had invited the two parties to his office in Ibadan on July 2024.
It was gathered that the parties tabled their grievances which included the alleged breach of Oath of Office, posting of offensive items on social media, and alleged alleged interference in the day-to-day running of the office of the Chief Imam among others.
It was also confirmed that other offensive developments cited included the filing of different cases in court and the resolution of the petition by members of Ayilara family against the Imam Agba.
The Commissioner, as reliably gathered, appealed to the two parties to sheath their sword, noting their position in Ogbomoso is vital to peace and development in the ancient city.
It was also gathered that Chief Imam Agba was asked to tender an unreserved apology to the Palace of Soun while the pending cases in the Court are to be withdrawn.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
