The Muslim Community of Oyo State, MUSCOYS, has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to address two pressing security issues in the state.
The first is the ongoing Imamship tussle in Ogbomoso, which has snowballed into a crisis involving the Soun of Ogbomoso and beyond.
The body said despite efforts by various mediators, including the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, the crisis remains unresolved.
The second issue is the physical assault on Sheikh Sulaiman and his family by a group led by a Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) pastor, Damilola Stephen, in Iseyin. The attack occurred on Eid-up-Adha day and left the first wife bloodied and the pregnant wife with a broken leg.
MUSCOYS made this known in a statement signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni and Secretary General, Alhaji Murisiku Abidemi Siyanbade, on Tuesday.
The Muslim Community urged the government to take proactive action to avert a breach of security, citing the primary responsibility of government to ensure safety of lives and property. They also suggested activating the Oyo State Law Against Pollution to promote peaceful coexistence among adherents of different faiths.
The community called on the Governor to summon all parties to the feud, mediate, and enforce a resolution. They also demanded justice for the assault on Sheikh Sulaiman and his family, warning that restive Muslim youths may take to the streets if not addressed.
The press statement read in full: “A stitch in time saves nine! The problems surrounding the Imamship issue in Ogbomoso and the religious crisis that happened on the day of the last Eid-up-Adha (Ileya) festival are serious threats to the peace of Oyo State. In fact, we are sitting on a keg of gunpowder.
“The Governor of Oyo State, H.E. Seyi Makinde, as the Chief Security Officer of the State should better take pro-active action now, to avert avoidable breach of security.
“I. OGBOMOSO IMAMSHIP TUSSLE
“The problem of Imamship in Ogbomoso, initially an Ayilara intra-family issue, has snowballed into a crisis now involving the Soun of Ogbomoso and even beyond Ogbomoso.
“The Muslim Community of Oyo State has made various unsuccessful efforts at mediation. In fact, another Elders’ Committee of the Muslim Community, led by Prof. D.O.S. Noibi also had many interactions with the two feuding camps and some Ogbomoso elites, who are interested parties in the matter. The last meeting of the warring groups took Prof.Noibi’s Elders Committee to Ogbomoso. More recently, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola Akinola, also assembled many Muslim leaders and met with the two warring camps.
“All these efforts have yielded little fruits. Ogbomoso youths in support of the Imam, are restive; the other camp is also charging.
“The recent query issued to the Imam, Sheikh Dr. Taliat Yunus Ayilara while on Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from where he has just returned, is another big straw further exacerbating the imbroglio.
“Efforts of all mediators have come to naught, because none of those who have put in efforts have power of enforcement. Only the Government can assert authority and enforce sanctions.
“As it is well known, the primary responsibility of Government is to ensure safety of lives and property. Maintenance of peaceful and harmonious coexistence is what is urgently required in the present circumstance.
“We hereby call on His Excellency, The Governor of Oyo State to take up the gauntlet, summon all parties to the feud, mediate, do the needful and enforce.
“There are apparently cases in courts. This notwithstanding, the government has a responsibility to ensure there is no breach of security. Matters can be settled out of court.
“II. ISEYIN C.A.C. PASTOR ASSAULT ON ALFA SULAIMAN AND HIS FAMILY
“Then, there is the issue of assault on the family of Sheikh Sulaiman and his ‘Eleha’ wives by a group of aggressors who came in Nigerian Army uniform, led by, Damilola Stephen, the soldier-son of Sheikh Sulaiman Abdul-Azeez’s neighbour, Pastor Stephen Busari The first wife of Sheikh Sulaiman Abdul-Azeri was bloodied, while the pregnant wife had leg broken.
“The invasion took place on ‘Ileya’ day and if not for God, lives may have been lost.
“We are calming frayed nerves, otherwise, restive Muslim youths would have taken to the streets over the matter.
“Government needs to meddle and speak out, reassuring Muslims in ISEYIN to remain calm. ISEYIN people need to hear government assure them that justice will definitely be served. This is to further avoid a breach of the peace in Iseyin. The Pastor is boasting that nothing can happen to him, that he is well connected with the powers-that-be in Oyo State. Coincidentally, for over a week after the incident, the Pastor was walking freely as if nothing happened. However, he was eventually arrested and Alfa Sulaiman has hired a lawyer over the matter.
“In spite of this, the voice of H.E. The Governor needs to be heard on the incident, as the Chief Security Officer of the State.
“For emphasis, restive Muslim youths are still charged. To nip crisis in the bud, let the government speak out.
“Additionally, it needs be mentioned that, the beginning of the Iseyin crisis was noise disturbance by the church.
“III. Taking a cue from the Iseyin crisis and to avoid such occurrence in other places, we suggest that government needs to activate the Oyo State Law Against Pollution, for peaceful co-existence among adherents of different faiths. They should be made to come to the reality that, where their own right stops is where the rights of others begin.
“May Almighty Allah help maintain peace in Oyo State.”
