Sanusi Lafiagi queries Soun’s query to Chief Imam on recent Hajj trip

A prominent Muslim cleric Sanusi Lafiagi, has strongly condemned the recent actions of the Soun of Ogbomosho, describing them as illegal, preposterous, and disrespectful.

In a detailed statement, Lafiagi criticized the Soun’s decision to issue a query to the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosho Land, Shaykh Dr. Talha Yunus Ayilara II, for traveling to Saudi Arabia without seeking the Soun’s permission.

Shaykh Ayilara had recently returned from a pilgrimage trip to the Holy Land as part of a delegation from the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Lafiagi emphasized that the Chief Imam, by virtue of his position, is the overall leader of the Muslim community and is not subject to the authority of the King in matters such as travel.

He highlighted that there is no law requiring the Chief Imam to seek the King’s approval for such activities and pointed out that the Imam has deputies to manage his duties in his absence.

The cleric also noted the irony in the Soun’s actions, as the monarch has previously refused to recognize Shaykh Ayilara as the Grand Chief Imam and failed to congratulate him on his recent PhD achievement. Lafiagi described the Soun’s query as an insult to the Muslim community and a demonstration of the monarch’s agenda against the Chief Imam.

The situation is further complicated by ongoing legal proceedings between the Chief Imam and his opponents within the Muslim community, with the court having ordered all parties to maintain the status quo. Lafiagi called for the Muslim community in the Southwest to resist the Soun’s actions and uphold justice and respect for the Chief Imam’s office.

Lafiagi’s scathing remarks have intensified the ongoing tension between the traditional and religious leadership in Ogbomosho, highlighting a clash over authority and respect within the community.

He wrote:

“With due respect to the revered traditional stool of Soun of Ogbomosho Land, the latest action by its current occupant is illegal, preposterous, laughable, and childish. It has now been confirmed that the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosho Land, Shaykh Dr Talha Yunus Ayilara II was recently returned home from his pilgrimage trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as one of the delegates of the Federal Government of Nigeria was issued a query by the Soun on why he didn’t seek his permission before traveling to the Holy Land.

Perhaps we need to remind traditional rulers that the Chief Imam of any town is, by virtue of his position the overall leader of the Muslim community. He is in charge of the religious life of the people, preaching, counselling, guiding, and admonishing them on their duties and
responsibilities to Allāh and His creatures.

That the appointment of the Chief Imam is subject to the ratification of the King by tradition does not make him subservient to the King’s authority to the extent that he needs the King’s approval to travel. There is NO law that states this. The Chief Imam had lieutenants to whom he can assign specific roles in his absence.

It is rather an aberration that the same man who has failed to recognise Shaykh Dr Talha Yunus Ayilara II as the Grand Chief Imam of OgbomosoLand is now querying him about his Hajj trip. I’m even curious to ask, how was the letter addressed? Not only has the Soun failed to recognise the Chief Imam, he has equally refused to congratulate him on his successful completion of his PhD degree!

The last action of the monarch before this preposterous letter was his purported nullification of some appointments made by the Chief Imam (Mufassir, Mufti, and one other person). All of these infuriating actions justify the Imam’s public outcry over acts of injustices and disrespect to his office by some individuals within the Muslim community with the full backing of the monarch.

How logical or sensible does it sound that the same person who vehemently refused to recognise the Imam and his latest doctoral degree is querying him for traveling to the Holy Land without his permission? Permission as what? Even if you recognise his office, it is only a matter of courtesy, not of the law to inform you about his intention to travel for Hajj. Issuing an official query means that the monarch has an agenda which the Muslim community of the entire Southwest must now rise to resist!

The Chief Imam is not a servant of the King. He doesn’t draw salary from the King’s purse. The query letter is an insult to the Muslim community of OgbomosoLand in general. Such illegality must not be allowed to stand. Bear in mind that the case between the Chief Imam and his traducers is incourt awaiting judicial pronouncement. All parties have been ordered by the court to maintain the status quo. Why issue a query to a man you have been ordered to leave alone until the court decides?

What manner of recklessness is this?”