A group of people under the aegis of “No Dull Moment in Islam (NDMI)” has opposed the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, over alleged query issued to the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Sheikh Teliat Yunus Ayilara over his violation of oath of office.
The Islamic group action is seen be to undermining the authority of the monarch and capable of igniting religious violence in the ancient town.
Ayilara, against his oath of office had embarked on holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia without informing the palace.
A statement released on Friday by the group and signed by Coordinator and the Secretary of the Group, Professor Abdurazaq Kilani, and Barrister Mojeed Abolore Oloyede, respectively, described the query as an insult on the Muslim ummah in Oyo State.
The group in the statement requested the monarch to immediately withdraw the query and the threat to review the appointment of the Chief Imam.
“In the query, the Imam was ordered by the Monarch to “immediately return” to Ogbomoso from his journey to rectify the purported violations.
“We call on the Christian Association of Nigeria and the leadership of The Redeemed Christian Church of God where Oba Ghandi Olaoye was ordained as a pastor to call the monarch to order and tell him to stop his overbearing incursion into the affairs of Muslims in Ogbomosoland.”
The Chief Imam in the letter to Oba Ghandi Olaoye, on Thursday, said his response to the query from the Soun of Ogbomoso is out of respect for Yoruba culture and tradition.
He said, “My case is that the office of Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland is not a traditional title, and as such, it is not under the control of Soun of Ogbomosoland.
“My case against your majesty is still in court. And I strongly believe that when a matter is in court, the parties in the case must respect the authority of the court by abstaining from anything that may affect the case in court.
“Your majesty calling on me to revert the appointment of those Muslim brethren I installed as Grand Mufti of Ogbomosoland, Amirul Wa’izin of Ogbomosoland, Khadimul-Islam of Ogbomosoland and Kanzul ‘Ulama’ of Ogbomosoland, to immediately return to Nigeria and rectify the appointment of acting Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland I made is directly related to the case in court and I think the court must be respected.”
