The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has urged Muslim clerics to actively participate in partisan politics, saying political relevance is essential to advancing the interests of the Muslim community and influencing public policy.
The monarch also backed the newly inaugurated League of Imams and Alfas of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, describing its emergence as a major milestone for Islamic leadership in the South-West and adjoining states.
Oba Akanbi made the call on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the formal inauguration of the registered League of Imams and Alfas of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, according to the monarch’s Press Secretary, Ibrahim Alli.
Alli, in a statement made available to Sunday PUNCH, said the event was attended by more than 1,000 Islamic clerics from Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, Edo and Delta states.
According to the statement, the newly inaugurated body was established to strengthen the propagation of Islam while promoting a more inclusive and decentralised leadership structure among Imams and Alfas across the region.
The league also dismissed suggestions that its formation was intended to create division within the Muslim community, insisting that its registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission was aimed at strengthening institutional legitimacy and improving grassroots participation.
Addressing the gathering, the Oluwo described the new organisation as “a new dawn” for Muslim leadership and urged members to remain united to ensure its long-term success.
He said, “There may be challenges at the formation stage. I have strong hope that this registered league will strive and become greater. This is the only League of Imams and Alfas known by law, legally binding and recognised by the government. It is here to stay, fully certified and recognised by the Corporate Affairs Commission.”
The monarch said the registration of the body represented an institutional advancement rather than a division within the existing Islamic leadership structure.
“I commend those who ensured Yorubaland, Edo and Delta Muslims under Imams and Alfas are registered to be recognised by law. It is an improvement and one of the testimonies that our children should be greater than us. It is not a division. It is an improvement.
“Aside from consistency, I appeal for your active participation in politics. If you are politically powerful, politicians will call you. You won’t run after them as we experience presently.
“We need you to be in power. You can be elected or appointed. Join a political party today and be active. As Muslims, you need power. The power will not come to you on a platter of gold,” he said.
According to the monarch, decentralising leadership within the new organisation would give greater recognition to local Imams and Alfas while fostering inclusiveness across the region.
