The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon and Vice Chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Francis Alao, on Tuesday, urged those fanning embers of division over the appointment of Habib Ayilara as the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso palace to desist or face their waterloo.
PUNCH Online reports that the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, on Friday, appointed Ayilara as the new Chief Imam of the palace.
Olugbon, in a statement signed in Ibadan, the state capital, also urged Muslim Rights Concern to sheathe its sword as various stakeholders in Ogbomoso are on top of the issue.
He noted that Ogbomoso is a peaceful place with people of different religious beliefs cohabiting in love.
The monarch said the MURIC’s concern about the controversy is well noted, assuring the group that traditional institutions in the state would not allow the promotion of division in the Ogbomoso Muslim community.
The statement read, “My attention and those of elders and critical stakeholders in Ogbomoso has been drawn to the Muslim Rights Concern’s criticism of the appointment of Habib Ayilara as the palace Chief Imam by Oba Olaoye, the Soun of Ogbomoso, on Friday.
“I, however, urge MURIC to sheathe its sword as various stakeholders in Ogbomoso are on top of the issue. As a major stakeholder in Ogbomoso Zone, and the Vice Chairman, the State Council of Obas and Chiefs, I can confirm that stakeholders in Ogbomoso land are working hard to ensure that the Muslim community in Ogbomoso is not allowed to be divided. I assure MURIC and other Nigerians are concerned about the ugly development that we will not sit by and allow the promotion of division in the Ogbomoso Muslim community.
“Besides, there is a pending suit on the matter in the Court of law which means that Sheik Ayilara remains the Chief Imam except the court decides otherwise. I call on those fanning embers of division to desist, otherwise, they will meet their Waterloo. As a foremost traditional ruler, I am fully aware that monarchs do not have executive power over Chief Imams or other religious leaders.
“As obas, we are custodians of our culture and traditions, rightly promoting our values and heritage. Traditional rulers in the state are not partisan on religious affairs. I, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Alao, stand with the only Chief Imam Talihat Ayilara. Let him continue to perform his duties as the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso because he is the one chosen by the Muslim community”, the statement added.
