League of Imams disowns unauthorised Islamic titles

League of Imams and Alfas

The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta States has disowned the unauthorised conferment of prestigious Islamic chieftaincy titles by unauthorised individuals, mushroom societies, and self-serving groups across the South-West region.

The apex Islamic clerical body urged the public, traditional institutions, and government authorities to refrain from recognising or accepting such titles as having been endorsed by or affiliated with the League.

This was contained in an official statement signed by the President of the League and Chief Imam of Ekiti State, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, and obtained by Saturday PUNCH on Friday in Lagos.

Sheikh Kewulere revealed that the leadership of the League had become increasingly alarmed by a growing trend of fraudulent and parallel conferments, where unauthorised associations issue titles identical or strikingly similar to those historically instituted and reserved by the regional Muslim apex body.

The statement emphasised that the League has never authorised any individual, Islamic society, independent mosque management committee, or cultural association to act as its representative or confer regional titles on its behalf without express written approval from its supreme council.

Clarifying the historical context and sanctity of the honors, the League explained that regional Islamic chieftaincy titles were deliberately created decades ago to honor distinguished Muslim leaders, philanthropists, and scholars who demonstrated exceptional dedication, sacrifice, and tangible contributions to the growth of Islam and the socio-economic welfare of the Ummah across Yorubaland.

“The titles were historically created to recognize Muslims who had demonstrated outstanding service, commitment, and contributions to Islam and the welfare of the Muslim community in Yorubaland,” the statement read.

“We want to urge Muslims, traditional rulers, community leaders, government authorities, corporate organizations, philanthropists, and the general public to verify claims of authority before accepting or recognising any Islamic chieftaincy title purportedly conferred on behalf of the League.”

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To prevent further public misrepresentation and clear existing ambiguities, the League listed high-profile regional titles that remain part of its exclusive institutional heritage, citing verified current titleholders recognised by the apex body.

It identified the former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sharafa Ishola, as the legitimate current Baba Adinni of Yorubaland, and prominent Ibadan-based businessman, Alhaji Daud Akinola (popularly known as D-Darmak), as the current Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland.

Other key regional titles exclusively administered by the League include Asiwaju Adinni, Iya Adinni, Iyalode Adinni, Borokinni Adinni, Seriki Adinni, Giwa Adinni, Balogun Adinni, and Asiwaju Obinrin Adinni of Yorubaland.

Reflecting on the historical pedigree of these honors, the League recalled that the legendary businessman, industrialist, and winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief Moshood Abiola, was historically recognised and installed as the Baba Adinni of Yorubaland. Similarly, the late Ibadan-based billionaire and philanthropist, Aare AbdulAzeez Arisekola Alao, served as the pioneer Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland.

The League stressed that the continuous, unbroken line of these titleholders underscores their status as vital components of Yoruba Muslim institutional heritage, warning that these titles must not be replicated, commercialized, or presented to the public under pretenses.

However, the clerical body clarified that its public disclaimer was not designed to target any specific individual or prevent independent Islamic organizations and traditional rulers from honoring deserving citizens within their immediate local jurisdictions.

“Our concern is not directed against any individual personally, nor is the League opposed to legitimate recognition of deserving Nigerians by lawful societies, traditional institutions, or community organizations,” the statement noted.