Alaafin’s Palace Refutes Claims of New Chief Imam Appointment in Oyo

In a statement released in Ibadan, the monarch’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaye, described the claims as “false, baseless, and misleading,” urging residents and the general public to disregard them.

“The attention of the Alaafin’s Palace has been drawn to speculations that a new Chief Imam has been installed in Oyo. This is unfounded information. No candidate has been chosen for the number one Islamic leadership seat in the town,” Durojaye clarified.

He further explained that the selection process is still ongoing, with consultations underway to ensure fairness and balance. According to him, the appointment remains the prerogative of the Alaafin, who has urged indigenes to maintain peace and patience until the rightful choice is officially announced.

The position became vacant following the death of the late Chief Imam of Oyo, Sheikh Mashood Ajokidero, in January 2023. Since then, calls have mounted for clarity on the succession, with groups such as the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) criticising what they described as unnecessary delay, noting that “two years have passed without a substantive Chief Imam.”

While some voices have debated the extent of the Alaafin’s role in the appointment, tradition places significant authority on the monarch in determining who leads the Muslim community in Oyo.