Yoruba Muslim league rejects unauthorised Islamic chieftaincy titles

The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta States has rejected the conferment of Islamic chieftaincy titles by individuals and groups without its authorisation. In a statement signed by its president and the Chief Imam of Ekiti State, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, the League urged the public, traditional institutions and government authorities not to recognise titles presented as having been endorsed by the body without confirmation. Kewulere said the League was concerned about what it described as a growing pattern of fraudulent or parallel conferments.

According to the statement, some associations have issued titles identical or similar to those historically established and reserved by the regional Muslim apex body. The League said no individual, Islamic society, mosque management committee or cultural association could represent it or confer regional titles on its behalf without express written approval from its supreme council. It explained that the titles were created decades ago to honour Muslim leaders, philanthropists and scholars who had made significant contributions to Islam and to the social and economic welfare of the Muslim community across Yorubaland.

The body identified Ambassador Sharafa Ishola as the legitimate current Baba Adinni of Yorubaland and businessman Alhaji Daud Akinola, also known as D-Darmak, as the current Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland. It listed other titles under its exclusive administration, including Asiwaju Adinni, Iya Adinni, Iyalode Adinni, Borokinni Adinni, Seriki Adinni, Giwa Adinni, Balogun Adinni and Asiwaju Obinrin Adinni. The League recalled that the late Chief Moshood Abiola had been recognised as Baba Adinni, while the late Aare AbdulAzeez Arisekola Alao was the pioneer Aare Musulumi.

It said its warning was not aimed at preventing lawful local organisations or traditional institutions from honouring deserving people within their jurisdictions.