The 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 Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the League, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory, made this known during the opening of a three-day conference organised for Islamic clerics, political office holders and traditional rulers in Ibadan on Saturday.
He said the League, as a religious organisation, would not declare support for any political party or candidate ahead of the forthcoming elections, stressing that its responsibility was to pray for the emergence of credible leaders who would improve the lives of Nigerians.
Speaking on behalf of the League, Abdullahi El-Ilory said, “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.”
The conference was attended by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; President of the League, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere; Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulganiy Abubakar; Alfa Agba of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdulbari Adetunji; and Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola.
Other dignitaries included the Secretary-General of the League, Sheikh Mustapha Oseni Adewale Hamzat; Chairman of the Oyo State Pilgrim Welfare Board (Muslim Wing), Sheikh Hashim Atere; Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola; PDP governorship candidate in Oyo State, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi; and the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Afolabi Olaoye.
Also present were the Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Bashir Abioye; Professor Amidu Sanni; Professor Adam Surajudeen; and Iyalode Adini of Yorubaland, Alhaja Sedeekat Aderibigbe, alongside other Islamic clerics, scholars and Muslim faithful from across the South-West.
Governor Makinde, while addressing the gathering, urged Nigerians to embrace unity and see themselves as one, regardless of their religious differences.
He also advised Muslim clerics not to allow politicians or other individuals to use religion to create confusion during the 2027 general elections.
The President of the League, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, said religious leaders should concentrate on guiding the people and preaching Islam in accordance with its principles rather than engaging in partisan politics.
He stated, “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 the Islamic principles.”
Similarly, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola explained that the conference was organised to promote unity and cooperation among Muslims in Yorubaland before, during and after the 2027 general elections.