The leadership crisis that is rocking Inisa Central Mosque in Osun State appears to have worsened as the Inisa Muslim Elites Association has accused the state governor, Ademola Adeleke of imposing a Chief Imam on the Muslim community.
The association also asked the traditional ruler of Inisa, League of Imams and Alfas in the state to desist from interfering in the selection process of Chief Imam of the Central Mosque to avoid causing more crisis in the town.
Recall that activities at the Inisa Central Mosque was grounded after succession crisis forced factions in the town to lay claim to the Imam position eventually leading to litigation before a State High Court sitting in Ikirun.
The court then restrained both factions from leading prayer in the mosque pending the determination of the suit before it.
But, the state government and other stakeholders have thrown their weights behind one Abdulakeem Jamiu and announced him as the Chief Imam of the Central Mosque.
Rejecting this move, Inisa Muslim Elites, while addressing a press conference in Osogbo on Wednesday, noted that the selection of a Chief Imam for Inisa should be in line with the dictates of the Holy Qur’an, Hadith and Sunnah, adding that imposition of candidate would cause crisis in the town.
Speaking, the Chairman of IMEA, Alhaji Kasali Adeyemo, urged that credible, fair and transparent process that is in line with Islamic dictates should be allowed for the selection of a new Chief Imam.
“We therefore, plead that people of goodwill should intervene to ensure a credible process to select the next Chief Imam of Inisa. If all internal mediation and conciliation fail, there is a Sharia Panel in Osun State that this matter may be referred to. We however, believe that we can peacefully resolve this matter without undue external interference of interlopers.
“We like to make it abundantly clear, that all we are asking for, is that the next Chief Imam for Inisaland and other related officers, should be appointed in the light of the Qur’an, the Hadith and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAW). That is all we are asking for, and not imposition, based on some dubious and perceived “popularity” among a few individuals around the Central Mosque. This path will ensure that all qualified parties are given the opportunity to participate in a transparent selection process and that the eventual choice would be acceptable to the entire Inisa Muslim Ummah. It would also be keeping to our tradition of smooth and rancour-free transition between Imams. More importantly, it would ensure that the ascension to the Imamship of Inisa remains a solemn process-based affair. Inisa Muslim Ummah is capable of resolving its own issues for as long as unnecessary external interference and partisan politics are not allowed.
“Our cause is not in support of any group in the contestation for Chief Imamship of Inisa. We are only concerned with the towing of the path of decency in line with the dictates of the Holy Qur’an, the Hadith and the Sunnah in the selection of a Chief Imam for our community;
“It is unheard of that a secular government chooses for, or imposes a Chief Imam on a community. We are assuming that His Excellency, Governor Ademola Jackson Adeleke has not been availed of the facts in this matter, and, therefore, plead with him to allow this simple matter to be resolved without any political interference; We are aware that this matter has been in court for about three years, for which reason, the court restrained parties in the civil suit from leading the congregation at the Central Mosque. That was why neutral Imams were chosen to lead the congregation. Unfortunately, a party in the suit chased away three neutral Imans at different times. This same party infringed on the laws of our land by abusing the restraining injunction of the court of law by allowing Hakeem Jamiyu to assume leadership of the Central Mosque;
“In all of these, Inisa community is at the receiving end. Trust, love and unity are diminishing. The Central Mosque is virtually deserted, with no person of note praying behind the imposed Imam. We therefore, plead with the media to bring these sad occurrences to the attention of the powers that be, Muslim leaders in Nigeria and all people of goodwill to put a stop to, and urgently reverse this untoward trend. History is recording our individual and collective deeds, and we shall all give account here, and in the hereafter,” Adeyemo stated.