The Iwo Muslim community under the leadership of the Asiwaju Muslumi of Iwoland, Alhaji Liad Tela on Wednesday said Chief Abiola Ogundokun does not posses any power to appoint anyone as a holder of any office in the Iwo Central Mosque.
They said neither the custom, constitution of the Iwo central mosque nor any pronouncement of the court allow anyone the right to appoint other than the chief Imam subject to approval of the Oluwo of Iwo.
The Muslim community comprising leaders and members of different Islamic organisations had earlier on Wednesday took to the street of Iwo to protest what they described as highhandedness by Chief Ogundokun who is a member of the Iwo central mosque Board of Trustee.
Ogundokun had reportedly announced some clerics as officials of the Iwo central mosque over the radio, a move which the Chief Imam, Sheikh Abdulfatah Adeyemi Olododo, his deputy, Sheik Asimiyu Adeyanju declared null and void.
Addressing the protesters which include the youth, men and women who marched to the frontage of the central mosque from different parts of the town with different, the Asiwaju Musulumi of Iwoland, Alhaji Liad Tela urged them to remain peaceful as they have demonstrated with their protest.
He assured them that Ogundokun’s mere announcement could not hold water, saying the power to appoint any official of the mosque in an exclusive of the Chief Imam and his council.
“Chief Abiola Ogundokun was never at anytime made the chairman of the board of trustees for the Iwo Central Mosque; either customarily or by the Constitution of the Iwo Central Mosque or by the pronouncement of any court of law, Chief Abiola Ogundokun does not possess any power to appoint anyone as a holder of any office in the Iwo Central Mosque.
“The roles of the Board of Trustees for the Mosque are clearly spelt out in the registered Constitution of the Iwo Central Mosque, and such roles do not include the power to appoint anyone as a holder of any office in the Iwo Central Mosque.
“While Chief Abiola Ogundokun is entitled to entertain himself in the manner he currently indulges himself in about the Mosque’s management, it is expected of him to spend his old age in uniting his immediate community (Iwo) and not to cause needless confusion with his self-imposed unconstitutional role of filling non-existent vacancies in the Iwo Central Mosque,” he stated.
Speaking, the Amir Taawuni Islamic organization, Sheik Dawood Molaasan maintained that the whole Muslim community in Iwo is behind the leadership of the central mosque and would always support any appointment made by them and duly approved by the Oluwo.
He said “this not about Tawuuni, but Iwo. It is about all Islamic organisations in Iwo. We have laid down procedure for choosing any official of the Central mosque. The mosque is not registered under anybody. This mosque is called “Masalasi Oba” (King’s mosque). Oluwo has the exclusive power to appoint imam and others.
“We don’t want anyone that is against the decision of either Oluwo or the Chief Imam. Any appointment that is not made by those two are null and void.”
