Monarch does not have the right to decide who leads Oyo Muslims, Says MURIC

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) rejects Alaafin of Oyo, Akeem Owoade the right to appoint the next chief Imam of Oyo Town.

According to the founder and executive director of MURIC, Ishaq Akintola, on Wednesday, “No law gives the monarch such power. The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade claimed on Tuesday that he had the exclusive right to appoint the chief imam of Oyo town.”

This information was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Bode Durojaiye the Alaafin’s director of media and publicity.

“We reject this statement. It is false, baseless and without any legal backing. What the Alaafin called his exclusive right is a baseless privilege now being abused by traditional rulers in Yorubaland. Alaafin is being economical with the truth.”

Akintola challenged the monarch to produce a legal instrument backing his claim, describing it as “illogical, irrational and laughable”.

Akintola went on to ask that, “If he has the power to appoint the chief imam, does he also have the power to appoint the bishop of Oyo?”

He further stated: “Now, if he has no power to appoint the bishop, he cannot claim the power to appoint the chief imam. If he is relying on tradition, there is a difference between tradition and what the law says.

“By the way, what kind of tradition enslaves Muslims but gives Christians freedom. We reject a tradition that puts Muslims in chains. Muslims are not slaves.”

The MURIC director said Nigeria is a democracy and not a monarchy, warning the Alaafin to “respect himself and know his limits so that he can be adequately respected”.

He added that past practices cannot serve as justification.

“The tradition in the past was to trek to Makkah on foot. That has been abandoned. The incumbent Alaafin should stop clinging to a comatose practice,” he said.

Akintola argued that Owoade, being a pastor, has “no moral right to dictate who should lead the Muslims in Oyo”.

He said the Muslim community of Oyo should consult the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) before presenting a candidate for the role, stressing that the Alaafin’s blessing is “not mandatory”.

“To the Alaafin, Kabiyesi, your imperial majesty, you are the king over the whole of Oyo. You are king over the Muslims, the Christians and the traditionalists.

“Each group chooses its own leader. No law gives you exclusive right to choose the chief imam. Otherwise, show us evidence that you picked the Bishop. If you cannot pick the Bishop, how can you pick the imam? Stop impugning our dignity. Respect begets respect,” MURIC said.

Source: Politics Nigeria