Following the leadership crisis rocking Egba Muslim Community, leading to the ‘suspension’ of Chief Imam of Egbaland, Alhaji Saad Bamgbola, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has been commended for wading into the crisis for peaceful resolution.
The Consultant to the Governor on Islamic Affairs, who doubles as the Wakeelu Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Sheik (Dr) Imam Iskil Lawal (Sugar) made this known in a statement he personally signed on Sunday and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta.
He also lauded the swift move of the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo ordering all parties involved in the crisis to ceasefire immediately, and stop any activity, that could aggravate the situation untill the issues are finally resolved.
Sheik Lawal said the move by the Alake at a peace meeting with major stakeholders in the crisis, would help promote peace, mutual respect and understanding.
In the same development, Sheik Lawal also appreciated prominent indigenes of Egbaland, including Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, and Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafadeen Tunji Ishola, Fola Adeola Tajudeen, among others for their roles in resolving the leadership tussle.
Sheik Lawal while calling on all aggrieved parties to sheathe their swords and displeasure on the matter said the governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo have directed him to constitute a 24 – man committee between the two parties to amicably resolve the issues.
He said, “I want to sincerely appreciate the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR for his swift action to amicably resolve the lingering leadership crisis presently rocking the Egba Muslim Community”.
“I want to at the same time appreciated our father, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo for calling on all aggrieved parties in the Crisis to ceasefire and to also stop any activity that can aggravate the situation untill the issues are finally resolved”.
“Also my appreciation goes to all prominent indigenes of Egbaland who have been committed to peacefully resolve the lingering leadership issues”.
“I want to emphatically state that the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Alake of Egbaland have directed actions to be taken to resolve all pending issues in no distance time”.
“To this end, a 24 – man committee from both sides have been set up, and they are:
ABEOKUTA SOUTH
1. Imam Najeemdeen Wale Bakenne (Olori omokewu of Egba Muslims)
2. Alhaji Monsuru Hassan (Khadimul Islam)
3. Ismail Ogunrinu Nofiu (Seriki Olomokewu Egba)
4. Alhaji Fadilulahi Shobeyi (Asiwaju Olomokewu Egba)
5. Imam Tajudeem Fakorede (Chief Imam of Ibara)
6. Mohamed Opeyemi (Atu khutubah of Egba)
CHIEFS
7. Alhaji AbdulLateef Ayoola (Seriki Adeen Egba)
8. Alhaji Sherifudeen Ogunrinola (Bada Adeen Egba)
9. Alhaji Sakirudeen Akingbade (Basorun Muslim Egba)
10. Alhaji Ismail Odejimi (Akogun Muslim Egba)
11. Alhaji AbdulHakeem Kalejaiye (Olootu Muslim Egba)
12. Alhaji Atobatele Sikirulahi Olatunde (Apase Muslim Egba)
ABEOKUTA NORTH
1. Sheik (Imam) Musiliudeen Nosiru (Chief Imam Oke Ona Egba)
2. Sheik Professor (Imam) Kamalideen Balogun (Chief Imam of Egba Agura
3. Chief (Imam) Suleiman Akorede (Chief Imam of Owu)
4. Dr. Taofik Amolegbe (Mufasiru Egba)
5. Alhaji Musediq Olayiwola Salami (Sarumi of Egbaland)
6. Sheik Ahmod Olayinka (Alatunse Egba)
7. Sheik Anassry Sarafadeen (Mufasiru Owu)
8. Alhaji Raheem Bakare (Alakoso Egba)
9. Alhaji Ismail Epemolu (Tayese Muslim)
10. Alhaji Norudeen Olaleye (Jagunmolu Egba)
11. Alhaji Ahmed Mamud (Hujatul Islam Egba)
12. Alhaji Ishaq Okedara (Lukotun Egba Muslims).
