Chief Imam Soun Palace, Ayilara, blames 'extremism, mineral resources, power tussle' for insecurity in Nigeria (SEE PHOTOS)

Chief Imam Soun Palace, Ayilara, blames ‘extremism, mineral resources, power tussle’ for insecurity in Nigeria (SEE PHOTOS)

Abdulrasak BELLO

The Chief Imam Soun Palace Ogbomoso Oyo state, Sheikh Habeebulahi Tijani Ayilara has identified three factors fuelling crises and insecurities in Nigeria.

Shiekh Habeebulahi Ayilara

Sheikh Ayilara pointed these out Friday while leading the 2026 Eid prayer at the old Eid prayer ground at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital area.

According to him, “three things are causing crises in Nigeria. These are rivalry arising from power tussle, availability of mineral resources and religious extremism.”

“Because leaders fight over power, crisis is fuelled. Because of presence of mineral resources in certain areas, Boko Haram insurgents and bandits rampage the areas and because of Islamic clerics who indoctrinate their followers to believe their sect is the best while looking down on others.”

The Chief Imam pleaded with clerics “to tone down their religious views and eschew inflammatory sermons” noting that is the way “to foster peace, love and unity.”

“You see many Muslim sects they won’t pray behind clerics of other sects believing they alone are pious, this is one of the major causes of the crises tearing Nigeria apart,” Ayilara observed.

He congratulated Muslim faithful on the Eid-el-Fitri celebration urging them to remain steadfast in doing good and imbibing the teachings of Ramadan.

This is as he commended the Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III for “steering Ogbomoso towards development and for promoting religious harmony.” He as well hailed Oyo state governor Engr Seyi Makinde for the pervading peace in the state.

The Parakoyi of Ogbomosoland Alhaji Sirajuddin Alimi likewise charged Muslims to uphold the tenets of Islam and lead a life dedicated to Allah.

The Areago of Ogbomosoland High Chief Samuel Sobalaje Otolorin, Babalaje Ogbomosoland Engr Open Salawu among other Muslim leaders in separate chats with newsmen rejoiced with the faithful encouraging them to continue to abide by the lessons of Ramadan.