Muslim Leaders Reject Appointment Of Adeleke’s Aide, Raji As Asiwaju Musulumi Of Osogbo

The Advisory Body for the Osogbo Central Mosque known as Alasaro of Osogbo has faulted the appointment of Alhaji Muniru Raji as the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogbo by the Chief Imam of Osogbo, Sheikh Musa Animasahun.

The head of the Alasaro of Osogbo, sheik Sulaiman Ajao Akala at a press conference held at Islaudeen Central Mosque in Osogbo today said the appointment of Alhaji Muniru Raji contravenes Islamic ideology, norms and principles.

Alhaji Akala said Alhaji Muniru Raji is currently serving as Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke, saying that he could only be appointed after successfully completing his assignment as a political office holder.

He said the Alasaro of Osogbo was not carried along in the appointment of Alhaji Muniru Raji and that he could not have been given the title of Asiwaju Musulumi of osogbo if proper consultation was done.

Alhaji Akala cautioned Ataoja of Osogbo, Jimoh Olanipekun to steer clear of islamic affairs in Osogbo, saying he that should not manipulate the Chief Imam to influence the appointment as Raji as the Asiwaju Musulumi of osogbo.

Akala said the unilateral decision of the Chief Imam on the appointment of Raji as the Asiwaju Musulumi of osogbo was not only disappointing to the whole Muslim Community but also much unwholesome.

According to him, “it is best considered as an attempt to create avoidable religious crises in an otherwise peaceful Osogbo muslim community. Ascendency of Sheik Musa Animasahun to the position of the Chief Imam of Osogboland too is one of the proofs of existence of this set of principles.

“That Sheik Musa Animasahun suddenly shunned all these Islamic values and norms in his desperate quest to promote a particularly individual for reasons best known to the Imam reveals a lot about the intent which obviously does not include respect, honour and deference Islam accords the leaders among the Ummah.

“In appointing leaders in Islam, knowledge, impact, character, manner and pedigree of people is among the very important factors to be considered. Thus, the alleged appointment of Alhaji Muniru Adebayo Raji as the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogboland is not only unacceptable but also very much demeaning to the collective religious sensibilities of the Muslim Ummah.

“It is on record that Alhaji Muniru Adebayo Raji on 28th June, 2023 allegedly played a role which led to a crisis at the Osogbo Eid Ground. He was also reported to have employed so many divisive statements during the last political campaigns such that were considered by the public pretty incompatible with caliber of people that may hold such a sacred religious position in the society.

“While we do not want to be seen as stating that being a politician is a crime, Alhaji Muniru Adebayo Raji is garrulous and such a carefree politician who is felt by the public not to be sensitive to the native intelligence of the people of Osogbo.

“One of the instances of this low quality has led him into a legal crisis where he is currently standing trial in Charge No. FHC/OS/60C/2024 Between Inspector General of Police v. Munirudeen Adebayo Raji pending at the Federal High Court, Osogbo.

“It is our firm belief that such a sacred Islamic position should not be conferred on just any person in the community. We, as an Ummah, find it difficult to relate being what Alhaji Munirudeen Raji is with the roles expected from such a privileged position in Osogbo Muslim Community.

“The Muslim Ummah in Osogbo is a congregation of all the Muslims and not a personal property of any individual therefore decision to appoint a leader for such a community must always be acceptable to all.”

But in his reaction, Alhaji Muniru Raji said his appointment was in order and that the fact that he’s holding political office should not disqualify him form becoming the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogbo.