Details have emerged on why the Ikare Muslim Council (IMC) moved against the Chief Imam of Ikare Central Mosque, Sheikh Abubakar Muhammed Abbas.
Abbas, who was appointed in 1995, was sacked by IMC at its meeting held on October 9.
Akeredolu, who spoke through his Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, said: “We know there are disturbances around the Central Mosque in Ikare-Akoko. The council decided that Ikare Mosque should be closed down with immediate effect.
“There will be no prayer offered in that mosque until there is resolution to the issue and the government will invite the parties involved in the dispute as well as the league of Imams to resolve the issue at stake.”
It was gathered that Ikare Muslims moved against Shiekh Abbas following the recognition of Oba Adeleke Adegbite-Adedoyin II, as Owa-Ale of Iyometa, Ikare.
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The upgrading of Oba Adegbite -Adedoyin did not go down well with subjects of the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Saliu Momoh, who presides over the area where Ikare Central Mosque is located.
Muslims faithful in Ikare were said to have kicked against the leadership of Sheikh Abbas, as he hails from Iyometa Ikare.
The Chairman of Ikare Muslim Council, Adewale Jimoh, said the Olukare and all chiefs in Ikare have given the nod for Sheikh Abbas to be sacked.
He said: “The only thing we want is for the Chief Imam to go. He cannot continue to preside over here. He should go to Iyometa where the government has recognised an Oba. He cannot be loyal to two Obas.
“He was removed because Iyometa was carved out of Ikare. Sheikh Abbas belongs to Iyometa. He should go and pray over his people. We want to have our own Imam.”
Sheikh Abbas, in a phone chat, said he would wait on the directive of the government before taking the next step.