According to Vanguard, The Ogbomoso Muslim Youth Forum reiterated yesterday that religious leaders in Oyo State are not subordinate to traditional rulers according to the state's chieftaincy law. This declaration came in response to the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, questioning the town’s Chief Imam, Sheik Teliat Ayilara, for performing the Hajj in Saudi Arabia without informing him.
In a statement by its Chairman, Alhaji Ishaq AbdurRaheem, the forum maintained that the chieftaincy law does not classify the Chief Imam or any religious leader as minor chiefs under the jurisdiction of kings, contrary to the implications in the query letters issued by the Soun.
AbdurRaheem responded to a recent press conference titled “Imbroglio in Ogbomosoland: Need to Avoid Instigating Violence and Insubordination against Constituted Authorities,” which was held on June 29, 2024. The conference was organized by a coalition of Ogbomoso Special Committee on Islamic Affairs members, dissenting members of the League of Imams and Alfas, and aggrieved Ayilara family members.
"The conveners of the conference sought to absolve Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III from the controversy," AbdurRaheem said. "They misled the Kabiyesi into believing they were the true leaders of Islam in Ogbomoso, although none had the requisite Islamic education to lead Muslims."
AbdurRaheem highlighted that the Ogbomoso Muslim Youth Forum had previously attempted to engage in dialogue with the king, only to be dismissed from the palace. He noted that the late Soun, Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, had established the Special Committee on Islamic Affairs to leverage their resources and influence to advance Islam within the community.
The forum stressed that the Muslim community operates with a strong sense of brotherhood, and the actions of Oba Ghandi Olaoye Orumogege III naturally incited reactions from all Muslims. AbdurRaheem emphasized that the mediators who visited the city to foster peace were not invited or sponsored, contradicting the press conference’s claims.
"The Chief and Customary Laws of Oyo State, as amended, do not place the Chief Imam or any religious leaders as minor chiefs under the authority of kings," AbdurRaheem stated. "We have approached the Oyo State High Court for clarity on this matter, and we expect our monarch to uphold the court's status quo to avoid contempt."
The forum called on the Soun of Ogbomosoland and the community to recognize that the press conference conveners do not represent the true leadership of the Ogbomoso Muslim Community. They urged security agencies and the palace to take note of this misrepresentation.