Yoruba Muslim leaders warn against unauthorised chieftaincy titles

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The League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land has warned individuals and groups against conferring Islamic chieftaincy titles historically associated with the league without the approval of its constituted leadership.

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The league said such activities could create confusion over the identity, meaning and authority attached to the titles.

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The position was contained in an official disclaimer dated September 24, 2026, signed by the President of the league, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, and other senior Muslim leaders across the South-West.

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The statement was issued against what the league described as the activities of “a society/group” presenting itself as having the authority to confer Islamic chieftaincy titles traditionally associated with the League.

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The league said it had become concerned that certain individuals or groups had embarked on the conferment of titles “which bear resemblance to, or are identical with, distinguished Islamic chieftaincy titles historically conferred by the constituted leadership of the League.”

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It stated that the conferment of the titles had historically been used to recognise Muslims for “outstanding service, commitment, sacrifice and contributions to Islam and the welfare of the Muslim Ummah in Yoruba Land.”

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The league, which said it was established in 1964 through the initiative of Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory and other founding fathers across the then Western Region, said it had served for more than six decades as an umbrella institution for Imams, Alfas and Muslim communities across Yoruba Land.

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It added that it had worked to promote Islamic brotherhood, unity, peace, moderation, mutual respect and harmonious coexistence among Muslims and other communities.

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According to the statement, no individual, society, association or group is authorised to represent itself as an organ, affiliate, representative or authorised arm of the League without the express approval of its constituted leadership.

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“Similarly, any person or group purporting to confer the League’s established Islamic chieftaincy titles without the authority of the constituted leadership of the League should not be understood or represented as acting on behalf of the League,” it stated.

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The league said it was particularly concerned about situations where titles historically reserved for distinguished members of the Muslim Ummah were reproduced or conferred indiscriminately, including where the recipient might not be a Muslim.

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“Such practices can create misunderstanding concerning the identity, meaning and authority attached to these titles,” it said.

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The organisation, however, said its position was not directed against any individual and that it was not opposed to legitimate recognition of deserving Nigerians by lawful societies, traditional institutions or community organisations.

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“Every organisation remains free to operate within its lawful sphere and to create its own appropriate honours,” the statement added.

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The league said its concern was with the use or reproduction of established titles associated with it in a manner capable of making the public believe that such titles were conferred, approved or originated from the League when they were not.

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It urged Muslims, traditional rulers, community leaders, government authorities, corporate organisations, philanthropists and members of the public to verify claims that individuals or organisations were acting under the authority or mandate of the League.

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The league also advised anyone seeking to use, reproduce, confer or publicly associate any of its established Islamic chieftaincy titles with their activities to obtain clarification and written approval from its constituted leadership before proceeding.

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The statement was jointly signed by Sheikh Kewulere; Sheikh Saadullah Bamgbola, Chief Imam of Ogun State and Vice President; Sheikh AbdulGaniy Agbotomokekere, Chief Imam of Oyo State and Grand Life Patron; Sheikh Musa Rabiu Animasahun, Chief Imam of Osun State; Sheikh Dr AbdulHakeem Yayi Akorede, Chief Imam of Ondo State; Sheikh Seifudeen Oloworibi Ademoritan, Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division and Chairman, Rabita, Lagos; Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory, Mudiru-l-Markaz and Chairman, Board of Trustees; Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola, Grand Mufti of Yoruba Land; and Sheikh Mustapha Oseni Adewale Hamzat, Secretary General of the League.

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