The Soun of Ogbomoso who queried the chief Imam of the ancient town has indeed chewed more than what his stomach can take. He has allowed himself to be unnecessarily manipulated in a crisis which, if he’s not careful, may eventually consume his peaceful reign.
Ọba Ghandi Afọlábí Ọláoyè, Orumógege III, must therefore quickly learn to summon his native intelligence and royal wisdom, to enable him reign in peace. He shouldn’t forget that he’s a pastor, a pentecostal pastor for that matter; ruling in a religiously volatile region of the country.
Gone are the days when Muslims and Christians in the Southwest Nigeria used to interract “peaceably” in love and harmony. But the pentecostal church has collapsed the peace and what holds today in Yoruba land is mere fragile peace.
The three major worship systems now live in acute hatred for one another and with a sense of chronic suspicion. So, Oba Ghandi shouldn’t assume to act like his predecessor or perhaps like the Emir of Ilorin, Oluwo of Iwoland or any other Muslim Oba when it comes to the matters of the Masjid.
How can the Masjid ever take instruction from the crown that knelt before a pastor inside the church? To the Muslims of Ogbomoso, Imam Taliat’s mimbar is as prestigious as the pulpit of pastor Adeboye appears to Oba Ghandi and all redeemers!
Those who justified the query issued by Soun of Ogbomoso to Imam Taliat on account of the latter’s appendage of signature of allegiance to his letter of appointment should not forget that the ongoing litigation in court has enforced the statusquo. Therefore, my lawyers have told me that Oba Ghandi lacks the right to query the Imam.
Wait, let’s agree that he has the right, I think the last thing I heard before the query was that the king did not recognize the Imamship of Taliat, so why did he issue the query? Moreover, is Oba Ghandi paying the Imam’s salary? Did he appoint him? I think, Imam Taliat was appointed through an interview.
It is laughable, indeed; and somehow ridiculous, that a pastor, who had once knelt at the alter of the cathedral before his master, could be so audacious to query the Imam – the leader of the believers, the distinguished servant of Allah, for going on Hajj to worship Allah – the fifth pillar of his religion. Imam Taliat should better start taking permission before observing each of his five daily obligatory Salaat.
It’s high time that the direct Boss of Oba Ghandi, I mean the local government chairman, to whom his royal highness is politically subservient, the one who pays his salary; and all the dieties or irunmole in the palace, from whom he derives his traditional relevance, should call him to order, before he sets the beautiful town of Ogbomoso on fire.
May Allah protect Imam Teliat Yunus Olushina Ayilara II, the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland. May Allah ease the affairs of the believers in the town. May Allah restore the honour of Yoruba Muslims. May Allah keep strengthening Islam in the Southwest Nigeria.
