Muslim Rights Concern, (MURIC), has declared that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade has no power to appoint Chief Imam of the town.
MURIC made this declaration in an issued statement yesterday, signed by its Executive Director, Professor Is’haq Akintola.
Oba Owoade had earlier claimed that he had the exclusive right to appoint the Chief Imam of Oyo town.
The monarch, in an issued statement signed by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, insisted that by tradition, only the Alaafin has the authority to appoint a Chief Imam in Oyo.
He added that consultations with religious leaders, community elders, and stakeholders are on-going.
However, MURIC, in its reaction said that the position of a traditional ruler is for tradition and not for religious issues.
Akintola, in the statement, described the Alaafin’s statement as illogical, irrational and laughable.
He claimed there was a huge difference between tradition and what the law says, adding that Muslims have the right to pick their leader and not the duty of the traditional ruler.
Akintola challenged the traditional ruler to produce the legal instrument that empowers him to appoint the Chief Imam in the town.
“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”.
