The Hausa Community Central Mosque in Agege, Lagos, remains closed as of Tuesday, three days after it was shut down due to a leadership dispute that has shaken the community.
The closure, initiated by the Agege Local Government Area authorities under Chairman Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, was enacted on Saturday following a conflict over the mosque’s imamship. The dispute erupted after the death of Sheikh Sharif Habib Abdul-Majid, the revered chief imam of the Hausa community in Agege, who passed away the previous Wednesday.
Tensions Over Leadership Succession
The leadership crisis at the mosque stems from competing factions vying for the role of imam. These factions include the family and supporters of the late imam, those advocating for the Na’ib (the second-in-command) to assume leadership, and the Sarkin Hausawan Agege Council, which is also backing its own candidate.
A video that circulated online depicted worshippers engaged in a physical altercation inside the mosque, highlighting the intensity of the dispute. Tensions escalated further on Friday when the second-in-command attempted to deliver the Friday sermon but was stopped by opposing factions, causing a disruption to the prayers.
Statements from Key Figures
Sheikh Mahmud Shafi’i, a religious leader from the community, confirmed the turmoil, saying the situation reached a breaking point when the second-in-command was obstructed during the Friday sermon.
Alhaji Abubakar Ali Na’ibi, General Secretary of the Council of Sarkin Hausawan Agege, affirmed that the Sarkin Hausawa of Agege is the rightful authority responsible for overseeing the mosque’s affairs.
Meanwhile, Shaykh Mustapha Imam Danlami, another candidate for imam, expressed his belief that as the late imam’s second-in-command, he is the legitimate successor.
The son of the late chief imam, Shaikh Sharif Ismail Habib Abdul-Majid, refrained from commenting, citing his ongoing mourning for his father.
Local Government Steps In
In response to the escalating conflict, Chairman Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi of Agege Local Government emphasized the necessity of closing the mosque to prevent further violence. He has called for all parties involved to participate in a roundtable discussion to seek a resolution and restore peace within the community.
