Monarch Oluwo urges Islamic leaders to get involved in political arena

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has made a impassioned plea to Muslim clerics, urging them to embrace partisan politics as a means of advancing the interests of their community and shaping public policy.

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Oba Akanbi also threw his weight behind the newly launched League of Imams and Alfas of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, hailing its emergence as a significant milestone in the development of Islamic leadership in the South-West and surrounding states.

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The monarch's comments were made on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the formal inauguration of the registered League of Imams and Alfas of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, as disclosed by his Press Secretary, Ibrahim Alli.

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According to Alli, the event drew over 1,000 Islamic clerics from eight states, including Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, Edo, and Delta, who gathered to witness the launch of the new body.

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The newly inaugurated league aims to bolster the propagation of Islam while promoting a more inclusive and decentralised leadership structure among Imams and Alfas across the region, as stated in the statement made available by Alli.

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The league has dismissed suggestions that its formation is intended to create division within the Muslim community, instead emphasizing that its registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission is aimed at strengthening institutional legitimacy and enhancing grassroots participation.

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Addressing the gathering, the Oluwo described the new organisation as "a new dawn" for Muslim leadership, urging its members to remain united to ensure its long-term success and perseverance.

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Oba Akanbi expressed optimism about the league's prospects, saying, "There may be challenges at the formation stage, but I have strong hope that this registered league will strive and become greater, as it is the only League of Imams and Alfas known by law, legally binding and recognised by the government."

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The monarch viewed the registration of the body as an institutional advancement, rather than a division within the existing Islamic leadership structure, stating, "I commend those who ensured Yorubaland, Edo and Delta Muslims under Imams and Alfas are registered to be recognised by law, which is an improvement and one of the testimonies that our children should be greater than us."

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Oba Akanbi appealed to the clerics to actively participate in politics, saying, "Aside from consistency, I appeal for your active participation in politics, as if you are politically powerful, politicians will call you, and you won't have to run after them as we experience presently."

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The monarch emphasized the importance of Muslim clerics holding power, saying, "We need you to be in power, which can be achieved through election or appointment, and I urge you to join a political party today and be active, as Muslims need power, which will not come on a platter of gold."

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According to Oba Akanbi, the decentralisation of leadership within the new organisation would give greater recognition to local Imams and Alfas, while fostering inclusiveness across the region.