- Alaafin’s Palace denies rumours of a new Chief Imam in Oyo.
- Palace insists only Alaafin has authority to appoint when due.
- Olubadan-designate urges Yoruba unity, blames supporters for rivalries.
The palace of the Alaafin of Oyo has dismissed reports claiming that a new Chief Imam has been appointed for the town.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a statement issued on Monday, the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Bode Durojaiye, described the speculation as false and misleading. He urged Muslim faithful and residents to remain calm, stressing that the selection process for the position was ongoing and would involve wider consultations before a final decision.
“The attention of the Alaafin’s Palace has been drawn to wild speculations milling round that a new Chief Imam has been appointed for Oyo. The good people of Oyo and members of the public are advised to disregard such unfounded, baseless and wicked information, as no candidate has been chosen for the number one Islamic seat in Oyo town,” the statement read.
The palace further reiterated that only His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, holds the exclusive authority to appoint the Chief Imam and assured that the rightful decision would be made and announced in due course.
Meanwhile, the Olubadan-designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has weighed in on the recurring tensions among Yoruba monarchs, attributing the rivalries to the actions of their supporters.
Speaking during a courtesy visit from the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, and his wife, Oba Ladoja dismissed the notion of a supremacy battle between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade.
“I have always maintained that neither the Ooni nor the Alaafin is the cause of disunity. In trying to defend different historical accounts, their supporters end up creating unnecessary conflict. They forget that history can be subjective,” Ladoja said.
He urged Yoruba people to put aside divisive historical debates and focus instead on unity, peace, and collective progress, drawing a parallel with Britain’s colonial ties to America.
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