Muslims kick as Christian monarch allegedly imposed Chief Imam
Segun Showunmi in Ibadan
Muslims in Apomu, Isokan area of Osun State have petitioned the Osun State Governor, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola to intervene in the crisis rocking the religious organization over the installation of Alhaji Abdulrasaq Akinyele as Chief Imam of the town by the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Kayode Adenekan-Afolabi.
Penpushing reports that the monarch, a Christian in a telephone interview with our correspondent confirmed that traditional rulers in Yorubaland own mosques, therefore he has the right to select the right person to lead Muslims in his domain.
The royal father also confirmed to our correspondent that he had to dissolve all the activities of Alfas in Apomu land to avert bloodshed, but in reaction some aggrieved Muslims on Tuesday stormed the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Iyaganku Ibadan, to express their displeasure over the development, saying the town needs quick intervention of the Governor to avert bloodshed.
Penpushing further reports that the Muslims led by the former Chairman of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria and the Chairman, the Imam of Oke Alfa, Apomu, Adeyemo Yahaya at a press conference explained that despite the intervention of the League of Imams and Alfas, Osun State council, led by the Chief Imam of Osogbo land, Alhaji Musa Animasahun, the monarch adamantly insisted that he won’t allow the right person to take over.
The protesters argued that it was universally known that emergence of Chief Imam is promotional, which the next person know when it is his turn to become a Chief Imam.
“It is known all over the world that once a Chief Imam dies, his Deputy known as Naibi takes over from him while his other followers remain queue behind the Imam, but story is not the same in our town’.
‘It is true that we had issues before now but the police had settled it for us until the new monarch came around and decided to bring a man who is not known and installed same as his own Chief Imam’.
“The entire Muslims in Apomu land therefore urge the governor of the state, Adegboyega Oyetola to intervene before the issue goes out of hand. Our people, though peace-loving but won’t allow this matter unchallenged. We appeal to the authorities to take appropriate steps.”
