Religious leader says his office was neither informed nor represented at event linked to Oyo governorship candidate, warns against unauthorised use of Islamic leadership

By Abdullahi Yusuf

The Office of the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land has distanced itself from a prayer gathering reportedly organised in honour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, saying the state’s foremost Islamic authority neither approved nor participated in the event.

In a statement issued on 17 June 2026, the Office of the Director of Media and Publicity to the Grand Chief Imam, Sheikh Al-Imam Barrister Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, expressed concern over what it described as the unauthorised association of the Grand Chief Imam’s name with the gathering.

The statement stressed that while the Chief Imam welcomed Senator Alli’s thanksgiving visit to Oyo Town and acknowledged the significance of offering gratitude to Almighty Allah following his emergence as the party’s standard-bearer, such engagements should be conducted with due consultation and respect for established religious leadership.

According to the statement, Sheikh Bilal Akinola Akeugberu was neither informed of the event, invited to participate, nor represented by any authorised individual. It added that other recognised Islamic leaders within Oyo Land were similarly unaware of the arrangements surrounding the gathering.

The Office maintained that Islamic tradition places considerable importance on accountability, consultation and respect for legitimate religious authority, warning that the names of the Grand Chief Imam and the wider Oyo Muslim community should not be used in connection with public activities without prior communication and official approval.

It further noted that the latest incident was not an isolated occurrence, claiming that there had been previous instances in which announcements and representations involving Islamic institutions were made without the knowledge or consent of recognised leadership.

According to the statement, such actions risk creating confusion within the Muslim community and could undermine the integrity of long-established religious structures in Oyo Land.

The Office therefore cautioned individuals and organisations against impersonating or presenting themselves as representatives of the Grand Chief Imam without an official mandate, urging greater responsibility in matters concerning religious institutions.

Despite the controversy, the statement reaffirmed the commitment of the Grand Chief Imam to peaceful coexistence, unity and constructive engagement with political leaders, religious organisations and community stakeholders in the interest of the development of Oyo State and Nigeria.

It also appealed for greater respect for the traditional and religious institutions that have long served as pillars of peace and social harmony within Oyo Land.

The clarification was contained in a press statement signed by Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, Director of Media and Publicity to the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh Al-Imam Barrister Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu.