Decision Makers Reject Appointment Of Alhaji Muniru Raji As Asiwaju Musulumi Of Osogbo

The Advisory Body for the Osogbo Central Mosque known as Alasaro of Osogbo has faulted the appointment of the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Political Matters, Alhaji Muniru Raji, as the new Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogbo.

Osun Defender reports that the Chief Imam of Osogbo, Sheikh Musa Animashaun, appointed Alhaji Muniru Raji as the new Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogboland.

But the Alasaro’s, while addressing newsmen on Wednesday at Islaudeen Central Mosque, Osogbo, said the appointment of Alhaji Muniru Raji contravenes Islamic ideology, norms and principles.

They noted that they are the only body that can appoint anyone when it comes to Islamic titles in Osogboland.

The head of the Alasaro of Osogbo, Sheikh Sulaimon Akala, said the title was not for serving politicians and asked the general public to disregard the appointment, saying that it was just a rumor.

Sheikh 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.

He said, “When I first heard that Alhaji Muniru Raji has been appointed as the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogboland, I said it is not possible because he is a serving politician and the title is not for serving politicians.

“We went to the Chief Imam to express our grievances and he also told us that Alhaji Muniru Raji will not be appointed as the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogboland.

“But yesterday, we heard that the Chief Imam has changed his words and appointed Alhaji Muniru Raji as Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogboland. We, the Alasaro of Osogbo don’t know anything about it, and we did not support or approve the appointment. The general public should disregard any rumor”.

READ: Adeleke’s Aide, Muniru Raji Becomes Asiwaju Musulumi Of Osogbo

The Jagunmolu of Alasaro, Alhaji Amitolu Shittu, said the Chief Imam cannot appoint anyone without the input of the body, calling on him to reverse the appointment.

Shittu, who said Osogbo has retrogressed due to the division created by some people in the town, added that the appointment of Raji, if allowed to stand, will further divide the community.

“Why do we have Aree Musulumi? Why do we have Giwa Adini? Why do we have Saraki Adini? You want to appoint somebody without their input. It is an aberration which cannot be allowed to stand,” he said.

He further added, “I am a chief in the Alasaro Osogbo. In as much as our leader and elders have denounced it and said they are not part of the process, we advise the Chief Imam, in order not to further the polarisation of our town, to desist from it and stay clear until approval is given by the Alasaro’s alone.

“If they try to do anything, we will make it impossible for them at all costs. We are telling them to stop it now. They cannot continue to divide this town because of their personal interest and money.

“We’ve had enough crisis. Enough of the retrogression of our town. Today, we don’t have Osogbo Progressive Union, when are we going to have that. Is it not further divided. It is enough. Let’s call a spade a spade.

“Baba Chief Imam should remember that he did not put himself in that office and it was not the king that put him there. It is the Alasaro that put him there.”

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.