Get Guardian on GoogleThe League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has declared that it will not endorse any politician or political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Islamic clerics said their responsibility was to guide the people through religious teachings and pray for the emergence of credible leaders rather than campaign for political candidates.
The position was made known at the opening of a three-day conference organised by the league for Islamic clerics, political office holders and traditional rulers in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday.
The conference, with the theme, “The Responsibilities of Politicians and Electorate During and After Electoral Process,” attracted political leaders, traditional rulers and Muslim scholars from across the South-West.
Those in attendance included Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) governorship candidate in the state, Bimbo Adekanmbi; his running mate, Open Salawu; and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the league’s Board of Trustees, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory, said the organisation was a religious body, not a political association, and therefore could not declare support for any candidate or party.
He said the league’s responsibility was to pray for the country and the emergence of credible leaders.
“We are religious leaders; we are not politicians, but we are the fathers of politicians. We will not declare support for any political party or politicians.
“We, the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, cannot declare support or announce our support for any politician or political party. We can only pray to God for Him to give us credible leaders,” he said.
The President of the league, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, also urged Islamic clerics to concentrate on guiding the people and preaching Islam in accordance with its principles.
On the forthcoming elections, Kewulere urged Nigerians to perform their civic responsibilities during and after the electoral process, while urging politicians to fulfil their campaign promises.
“We are not politicians. An Imam is not supposed to be involved in politics. Our focus should be to guide people and preach the religion of Islam in line with Islamic principles.
“We should not abuse our leaders. On the 2027 general elections, I advise Nigerians to play their roles as expected during and after the elections. I also call on politicians to fulfil their promises,” he said.
The Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola, said the conference was organised to promote unity and cooperation among Muslims in the region before, during and after the next general elections.
In his remarks, Makinde urged Nigerians to see themselves as one, irrespective of religious and political differences.
He cautioned Muslim clerics against allowing individuals to exploit religion to create confusion during the 2027 elections.
Two professors, Amidu Sanni and Adam Surajudeen, delivered lectures at the opening ceremony.
Other prominent attendees included the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiy Abubakar; Alfa Agba of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulbari Adetunji; Secretary-General of the league, Sheikh Mustapha Oseni Adewale Hamzat; Chairman of the Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Sheikh Hashim Atere; and Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola.
Traditional rulers present included the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Olaoye, and the Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Bashir Abioye.
The three-day conference, which began on Saturday, is expected to end on Monday.
