The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has dismissed as false and baseless the claim by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, that he hold the exclusive right to appoint the Chief Imam of Oyo town.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 17th September 2025, MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, accused the monarch of clinging to “a comatose practice” and attempting to enslave Muslims under outdated traditions.
“The Alaafin’s claim is illogical, irrational and laughable. If he has the power to appoint the Chief Imam, does he also have the power to appoint the bishop of Oyo? If he cannot appoint the bishop, he cannot appoint the Imam,” Akintola said.
The group argued that privileges enjoyed by past rulers do not amount to legal rights in a democratic Nigeria, stressed that Muslims must be free to choose their own leaders without interference from the palace.
MURIC maintained that at best, the Alaafin can only give his blessing to the choice of the Oyo Muslim community, but that blessing “is not mandatory and has no legal force.”
The organization urged Oyo Muslims to consult with the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) before presenting a single candidate for Chief Imam, warned that attempts to impose a candidate from outside the Muslim community would be resisted.
“No law gives the Alaafin of Oyo the exclusive right to appoint the Chief Imam. Respect begets respect. The king should respect the autonomy of the Muslim community,” MURIC concluded.
