The lingering leadership crisis rocking the Ipetu-Ijesha Central Mosque has taken a fresh turn, following the absence of the Chief Imam, Sheikh Zakariyahu Sarumi, at the 2026 Aropeju Day celebration.
Sheikh Sarumi raise concerns over the Ajalaye of Ipetu-Ijesha, Oba Samson Adeleke Oke opposing his attendance over an alleged plan to install the monarch’s wife younger brother as Chief Imam.
Speaking in an interview with Vicinity FM, Sheikh Sarumi said he served as acting Chief Imam for eight years before the demise of his predecessor and was subsequently selected and turbaned. He added that both the High Court in Ilesa and the Court of Appeal in Akure affirmed his position.
He appealed to community elders to intervene and prevail on the monarch to allow peace to reign.
Meanwhile, the Balogun of Alfa and Imam in the kingdom, Alhaji Jamiu Zubair, said Sheikh Sarumi had represented the late Chief Imam at the Aropeju Day celebration for about thirty years
He expressed concern over a reported instruction from the monarch, communicated through the Divisional Police Officer, that the Chief Imam should not attend this year’s celebration which took place on saurday November 7, and called for calm. He spoke in yoruba
Also speaking, a member of the Ansarudeen Society, Alhaja Sarumi Robiat, and the Naibu Thani of the Central Mosque, Alhaji Muhammad Jamiu Junaid, expressed disappointment over the development and appealed to stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the crisis. They also spoke in yoruba
They described the Chief Imam as a peaceful man and urged all parties to embrace dialogue in the interest of peace and unity in the community.
