Gov. Obaseki warns against disruption of activities at Benin Central Mosque

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has decried the alleged failure by Muslim leaders in the State to keep their subjects in check, leading to disruption of prayers and other religious activities at the Benin Central Mosque.
The governor gave the warning at a meeting with Muslim leaders in the state led by Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto and the Otaru of Auchi, His Royal Highness (HRH) Alhaji Aliru Momoh Ikelebe III at the Government House in Benin City, the State Capital.
The visibly angry governor, maintained that persons or groups found disturbing the area will be dealt with accordingly.
“Let me warn at this point that anybody or party that disrupts activities at the Benin Central Mosque henceforth will be dealt with according to the law”, he vowed.
Obaseki told his guests that he was aware of the leadership tussle at the Mosque, involving Alhaji Enabulele and Alhaji Edosomwan who passed on last year at 82.
He said he refused to interfere on the protracted power tussle with the hope that both parties will resolve their differences internally.
“As a government, we saw the development, challenges, and crisis as an internal matter that needed to be settled by members of the faith.
The death of Alhaji Edosomwan should have naturally resolved the matter but I was disappointed that the crisis continued. I am glad that the issue has been addressed,” he said.
The governor vowed to direct the Director of State Security (DSS) to make adequate security arrangements at the Benin Central Mosque to stop the disruption of prayers and other activities.”
“I will inform the Director of State Security (DSS) to make adequate security arrangement at the Benin Central Mosque to stop the disruption of prayers and other activities.”
He assured the Muslim community of his administration’s support, he urged them to go about the practice of their faith peacefully.
Governor Obaseki however commended the Otaru of Auchi and other Muslim leaders in the state on how the leadership tussle was handled and the subsequent turbanning of Alhaji Fatai Enabulele, as Chief Imam of Benin Central Mosque.
The Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Momoh Ikelebe III, explained what was responsible for the leadership tussle at the Benin Central Mosque, noting that the tussle has been laid to rest with the death of Alhaji Edosomwan.
He condemned the disruption of activities at the Benin Central Mosque, noting that a true Muslim should not subscribe to thuggery.