It’s illogical: You have no power to appoint Chief Imam of Oyo town – Group slams Alaafin
It’s illogical: You have no power to appoint Chief Imam of Oyo town – Group slams Alaafin
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has firmly rejected the assertion by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, that he holds the sole authority to appoint the Chief Imam of Oyo town.
In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Isiaq Akintola, MURIC dismissed the monarch’s claim as unfounded and inconsistent with both religious principles and legal norms.
Oba Owoade had earlier declared, through his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, that it is traditionally the prerogative of the Alaafin to appoint the town’s Chief Imam.
He stated that the palace is currently consulting with religious leaders, elders, and other stakeholders in line with this tradition.
However, MURIC strongly disagreed, arguing that the role of a traditional ruler is strictly cultural and does not extend to religious appointments.
“There is a clear boundary between tradition and religion,” Akintola stated.
“The Alaafin’s position is purely traditional. He has no legal or religious authority to appoint a Chief Imam.”
Describing the monarch’s stance as “illogical, irrational, and laughable,” Akintola insisted that Muslim communities have the constitutional right to select their religious leaders without interference from traditional institutions.
He further challenged the Alaafin to present any legal backing that supports his claim to such authority.
MURIC emphasized that leadership within the Islamic faith must emerge from within the Muslim community itself, and any attempt by a traditional authority to override that process is unacceptable.
“We challenge the Alaafin to produce the legal instrument that empowers him to appoint the Chief Imam for Oyo Muslim Community.
“Alaafin’s claim is illogical, irrational and laughable. If he has the power to appoint the Chief Imam, does he also have the power to appoint the bishop of Oyo? Now, if he has no power to appoint the bishop, he cannot claim the power to appoint the Chief Imam.
“The Muslim Community should present only one candidate, not two, not three, to the Alaafin and back its choice with an official letter in which the new Imam’s name is conspicuously written to avoid any chance of manipulation. The Alaafin’s blessing of their choice is not mandatory. It is a euphemism for passing information”.
