By Mr Rafiu Adenopo
Ordinarily, the grand Chief Imam and all Imams in Ogbomosho, all Pastors in Ogbomosho and the Oluwo of Ogbomosho should be under the Soun of Ogbomosho while the Soun himself is under all the LGA Chairmen within his domain. The LGA Chairmen should be under the Governor and the Governor should be under the President. That is the hierarchy of authority within Ogbomosho.
However, the present Soun of Ogbomosho had poured salt on the injury by kneeling down before Pastor Adeboye in the past and he lack the Locus standi to query the Chief Imam of Ogbomosho, Sheikh Dr. Taliat Yunus Olusina Ayilara, for traveling to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. A TRUE KING DO[ES] NOT KNEE OR BOW BEFORE ANY MAN.
The office of Soun of Ogbomosho is a sacred office and an institution. It should be a protected and respected office at all time. It must never be brought to kneel or bow before any man as it tantamus to subjugating the entire Ogbomosho before such a man
For reducing the office to a mere office under RCCG, then, the query issued by the Soun of Ogbomosho is therefore laughable as far as I see it.
Let me state unequivocally that a royal father is superior to any Pastor, Imam or Oluwo within his community and domain if the Royal father accord himself the respect his office holds.
The Chief Imam, Pastor and Oluwo are expected to be among his EXPANDED cabinet that will provide insight to the king when the needs arises. However, the king does not have any say in their appointment as that is left to the committee that the mosque (shura) or church will set up to test the knowledge of the prospective candidate that qualify for the post. After the selection, the mosque will present their Imam to the king and other constituted authorities for acquitance.
It is noteworthy that Government (President, Governor, LGA Chairmen and kings) are the representatives of Almighty God on the earth while the Chief Imam, Pastors and Oluwo are only the representative of the Prophets in their respective religion to provide guidance. Hence, the government are to oversea the Judgement and expenditure of taxes generated from the houses of God because they are the representatives of God on the earth. This is confirmed by Quran 38 vs 26 when Allah said “O David, we have made you our (Khalifa) representative on the earth, so judge between the people with justice…”.
The usual saying that Alfa/Pastor are superior to the king is an overstatement. In any community, the king is the most superior who draw his power from the authority given to him by the constitution as legislated by the legislative arms of government. He is the custodian of custom and law. He will be asked on the day of judgment about the welfare of everyone under his realm including pastors and Imams. The imam is to obey him as long as he is JUST. Quran 4:59 “O you who believe, obey Allah and his messager and the constituted authority over you…”
The role of a Pastor and Imam is to guide and speak the truth to the constituted authority at all time. They are to be consulted on every issues to provide adequate guidance to them intellectually and spiritually.
Therefore, the chief imam erred by not informing the Governor, the LGA Chairman and Soun of Ogbomosho before embarking on Hajj even though he is not obligated constitutionally to do so but he would have done it as a sign of respect and courtesy for their respective office.
Lastly, the Soun of Ogbomosho erred by issuing a query in a writing form to the grand imam who represent the entire Muslim community in Ogbomosho, when he could have placed ordinary call to him and say it jokingly on the phone and the imam would have apologized to him with one excuse or the other that prevented him from notifying him.
Case closed!
Rafiu Adenopo
