The Palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has debunked reports claiming that a new Chief Imam has been appointed for the ancient town.
Director of Media and Publicity to the monarch, Bode Durojaye, in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State, described the reports as false and misleading.
“The attention of the Alaafin’s Palace has been drawn to wild speculations milling around that a new Chief Imam has been appointed for Oyo.
“The good people of Oyo and members of the public are advised to disregard such unfounded, baseless and wicked information as no candidate has been chosen for the number one Islamic seat in Oyo town,” Durojaye said.
He explained that the process of selecting a new Chief Imam was still ongoing, stressing that consultations were being carried out to ensure fairness.
“The selection of a new Chief Imam of Oyo is undergoing due process and wider consultations, and His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, the Alaafin and Paramount Ruler of Oyo Kingdom, has urged the people to remain calm and peaceful, as the rightful choice will be made in due course,” he added.
Durojaye further maintained that the appointment of the Chief Imam remained the exclusive preserve of the Alaafin.
PUNCH Online understands 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.
