Osogbo Chief Imam Affirms Islamic Titles On Basiru, Raji

The Chief Imam of Osogbo, Sheikh Musa Animasahun, has affirmed the conferment of Islamic titles on Senator Ajibola Basiru and Alhaji Muniru Raji.

Senator Basiru is the National Secretary of the All Progressive Congress (APC), while Alhaji Raji is serving as Special Adviser to Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

Reacting to the controversy over the appointment of Raji as the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogbo, the Chief Imam said he is qualified for the title.

Sheikh Animasahun explained that as the Chief Imam of Osogbo and Chairman of the League of Imams and Alfas in Osun State, he’s in the position to honour good Muslims with Islamic titles to acknowledge their contributions to Islam and encourage them to keep doing good.

According to him, “We made necessary consultations on the appointment of Senator Basiru Surajudeen Ajibola as Asiwaju Musulumi of Osun State and Alhaji Muniru Adebayo Raji as Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogbo. We took the decision together with those that matter. It was unanimously agreed upon. So, it was not a unilateral decision.”

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“It was the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Tunde Badmus, that suggested Senator Basiru Surajudeen Ajibola for the title of Asiwaju Musulumi of Osun State; the nomination was accepted. So, we decided to give the title of Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogbo to Alhaji Muniru Adebayo Raji. But I later heard that Asiwaju Tunde Badmus wanted his son, Lekan, to be given the title of the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogbo, which had been given to Alhaji Muniru.”

The Chief Imam said Badmus wanted some individuals, including Barrister Kunke Adegoke (SAN), popularly known as K-RAD, and Mr. Kayode Igbalaye, to be honoured with Islamic titles.

“Baba Animasahun said Asiwaju Badmus told him that this would encourage such individuals to contribute to Islam and that he (Chief Imam) told Asiwaju Tunde Badmus that those individuals should not wait until they are given Islamic titles before they would contribute to Islam.”

The Chief Imam said Asiwaju Tunde Badmus lobbied the palace to influence this but he (Chief Imam) maintained his position and stood his ground.

According to him, “When it comes to honouring Muslims with Islamic titles, it’s the Chief Imam that can determine who would be given titles and no one should query the Chief Imam on such decisions.”

“The Alasaro, the Ratibis and the Mogajis are under the Chief Imam. They cannot dictate to the Chief Imam. They have to abide by the decisions of the Chief Imam,” Sheikh Rabiu Musa Animasahun said.