A respected Islamic scholar and Chief Imam of the University of Abuja, Prof. Taofiq Adesina Azeez, has issued a stern warning over what he describes as an avoidable but escalating crisis within the Muslim leadership structure in Yorubaland.

Professor Azeez cautioned that unless the Mudeer of Markaz, Sheikh Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory, is called to order, the region may face serious religious disruption.

In a strong worded opinion on Wednesday, titled ‘Fitnah Alert: The Mudeer and Avoidable Crises,’ Prof. Azeez accused the Mudeer of provoking unnecessary controversies through divisive pronouncements and actions that appear aimed at testing the limits of his influence.

According to the Don, Sheikh Habibullah increasingly behaves like a dictator, seeking to exercise authority over the appointment and removal of Imams across the Southwest, an influence he warned could destabilise the entire region.

He pointed to the ongoing situation in Ogbomoso, where the Grand Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Taliat Yunus Ayilara, is facing pressure linked to external religious politics.

Prof. Azeez described the Ogbomoso incident as the “head of the fitnah,” adding that allowing such interference would amount to giving notice to all Imams in Yorubaland that they may be removed at will, especially if they have previously disagreed with the Mudeer.

He urged major Islamic institutions including the League of Imams and Alfas, MUSWEN, Ahlus-Sunnah (FASON), and the Supreme Council for Shariah, to intervene urgently.

According to him, these bodies must “rescue the League from the Mudeer” and prevent what he fears could escalate into a major communal crisis.

“The urgent task before the Muslim community is to unite and find a way out of the imminent annihilation staring us in the face,” he warned, stressing that Yorubaland does not need additional crises at a time of numerous external pressures.

He called on stakeholders across the Southwest to enrich the conversation with practical solutions, noting that “time is ticking and fitnah is rolling.”

Sheikh Habeeb, an indegen of Ilorin in Kwara State but resident in Lagos, at the just concluded League of Imam of Alfas conference in Lagos, announced another Imam of Ogbomosoland as against the sitting Imam, Dr Teliat Ayilara.

- Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Dr Teliat