The Onikijipa family has issued a strong statement calling on stakeholders in the Ilorin Emirate to intervene and caution Sheikh Habibullahi Adam Al-Ilory, the Mudirul of Markaz Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Agege, Lagos, over his repeated attacks on the Grand Mufty of Ilorin, Sheikh Suleiman Faruq Onikijipa.
In a statement released on Sunday by Alhaji Abdulrahman Suyuti Onikijipa, the Magaji of Onikijipa Compound, the family condemned Sheikh Habibullahi Al-Ilory’s recent remarks as “false, divisive, and malicious.” The statement, titled “No Bastard Among the Onikijipa: A Rejoinder to Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory,” refuted claims made by Al-Ilory that the father of the Grand Mufty, Sheikh Faruq Onikijipa, was not a member of the Onikijipa family.
The family described Al-Ilory’s assertions as “a lie from the pit of hell” and accused him of attempting to rewrite the history of the Onikijipa family for personal gain. The statement emphasized that the Onikijipa family remains a united and indivisible entity, with no distinction among its descendants.
“Sheikh Habibullahi Al-Ilory’s unsubstantiated claims are borne out of mischief and a ploy to create disunity within our family,” the statement read. “We are compelled to set the record straight to ensure that future generations do not doubt our history as one strong Onikijipa family.”
The family also criticized Al-Ilory for contradicting the historical accounts of his own father, Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory, in his attempts to portray himself as an authority on the Onikijipa lineage. They accused him of deliberately targeting the Grand Mufty of Ilorin to tarnish his reputation, a tactic they claim is characteristic of Al-Ilory’s behavior.
“Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory has made it his trademark to attack anyone, including respected figures like the Grand Mufty of Ilorin,” the statement continued. “His recent claims that Sheikh Suleiman Faruq Onikijipa is angry over his father’s exclusion from a book by Sheikh Adam Al-Ilory are not only laughable but entirely fabricated.”
The family further dismissed Al-Ilory’s theory that only households situated within the main Onikijipa compound are considered part of the family, calling it “nonsensical.” They clarified that both Alfa Alabi Onikijipa and Alfa Faruq Onikijipa, the father of the Grand Mufty, are brothers and members of the same family.
“Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory’s claim that Alfa Alabi Onikijipa is the ‘original’ Onikijipa is baseless and reflects his tendency to attack without reason,” the statement added. “We are one family, and there is no separation among us. It is deeply concerning that a respected scholar would resort to such divisive tactics.”
The Onikijipa family called on stakeholders in the Ilorin Emirate to intervene and hold Sheikh Habibullahi Al-Ilory accountable for his actions. They urged him to refrain from spreading falsehoods and creating unnecessary divisions within the community.
“We are a learned and respectful family, and we will not stoop to his level,” the statement concluded. “However, it is imperative that stakeholders call him to order before his actions lead to further discord.”
The statement has sparked reactions across the Ilorin Emirate, with many calling for a resolution to the ongoing dispute. Stakeholders are expected to address the matter in the coming days to prevent further escalation.