Muslims in Ogbomoso under the auspices of Ogbomoso Muslim Youth Forum have declared that the chieftaincy law in Oyo state does not place religious leaders under traditional rulers in the state. The group made this declaration in a reaction to the recent query of the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Sheik Teliat Yunus Ayilara by the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye. The traditional ruler had in a letter dated 10th June, 2024 and signed by palace Secretary, Toyin Ajamu, queried the cleric for going to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj exercise without informing him.
But the group in a statement signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Ishaq AbdurRaheem, maintained that the chieftaincy law does not place the Chief Imam and by extension all religious leaders as minor chiefs under the prescribed authority of kings as revealed in the query letters issued by the Soun. AbdurRaheem in the statement made available to journalists on Tuesday maintained that the cleric was appointed through the provisions of Islamic law by a Shura committee who interviewed and screened all prospective candidates. He added that the Muslim community is the custodian of the Central Mosque, not Soun or the palace, adding that ownership of any mosque in Islamic jurisprudence is the Muslim community.
He then advised the traditional ruler to maintain status quo as ordered by the court pending the determination of the substantive suits. “As a rejoinder to the Press Conference titled “Imbroglio in Ogbomosoland: Need to Avo.
