The palace of the Alaafin of Oyo has dismissed reports claiming the appointment of a new Chief Imam for the ancient town.
In a statement signed by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Bode Durojaiye, the palace urged the Muslim faithful and residents to remain calm, stressing that the selection process is still ongoing and involves wider consultations.
The statement further emphasized that only His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, has the exclusive authority to appoint a new Chief Imam, assuring that the rightful choice will be made in due course.
Recall that the previous Chief Imam of Oyo, Sheikh Mashood Ajokidero, passed away in late January 2023.
His death created a vacancy, and since then, there has been no official appointment of a
This gap has led various groups to call for clarity. In particular, the Muslim Rights Concern criticised what it viewed as excessive delay, noting that “two good years have elapsed without a Chief Imam.”
There has also been debate over the role of the Alaafin in the appointment or turbaning of the Chief Imam. Some argue that although tradition holds that the Alaafin has significant say, the local Muslim community must play its role.
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