From Eric Eweke, Niger Delta Bureau Chief
A Muslim group has taken a swipe at the former chairman of the Muslim Society in Bayelsa State over alleged recent derogatory statements and actions against the Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Religious Affairs, Rev. Godspower Asingba.
The group stated that the governor’s aide is a neutral person and should not be dragged into issues concerning the Muslim community in the state as allegedly by its former chairman, Alhaji Yakubu Otobo.
The group in a statement signed by the Acting -Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Bayelsa State Chapter, Alhaji Yahaya Ezonbodoh Okee, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Yenagoa, the state capital, condemned in strong terms the comments and a viral video that tended to malign Rev. Asingba, over the crisis rocking the Islamic body.
It described them as “laughable.”
The group alleged that Alhaji Otobo served out eight good years as its chairman in the state and had continued to describe himself as such.
The group further stated that, the Acting- Chairman, of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and his exco were inaugurated on January 28, 2026, in the presence of and with the full support of all Muslim Ummah in the state, following the expiration of the former chairman’s tenure.
The group alleged that he refused to conduct an election to produce a new leadership, in defiance of the constitution of the council.
The Muslim leaders also pointed out that, the former chairman spent over eight years against the constitutionally stipulated three years, a situation which led to unnecessary litigation.
They said the matter has already been filed for a stay of execution in the Court of Appeal No:CA/PH/899/2026: Suit No:BYCH/YHC/CV/489/2025, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
They advised him to stop making negative comments against Asingba as such could divide Muslims in the state.
The group reaffirmed the determination of the community towards peaceful co-existence among Muslims.
They advised aggrieved persons to embrace the basic tenets of peace and brotherhood in Islam.
Attempts to obtain Otobo’s comments were unsuccessful as he couldn’t be reached at press-time.
