Appoint new Muslim Pilgrims Board chairman from unrepresented zones — Islamic scholars

A gaggle of Islamic scholars in Osun State has urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to nominate the following chairman of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board from a zone that has by no means occupied the place.

The Supreme Council of Islamic Scholars of Nigeria, Osun department, made the attraction in a letter dated October 9, 2026, warning towards any association that would lengthen the tenure of the incumbent chairman, Dr Moruf Isola, past this 12 months.

The council argued that appointing a successor would promote equity and inclusiveness, significantly for zones which have but to supply a chairman of the board.

In the letter signed by the State Coordinator, Mallam Isiak Abdul Rahman, and 5 different scholars representing Ede, Ikire, Ife, Ikirun and Ila zones, and addressed to Governor Adeleke, the scholars mentioned, “Isola has spent eight consecutive years in office, making him the longest-serving chairman in the history of the board.”

The council’s place adopted a disagreement amongst Islamic teams over the incumbent chairman’s tenure and the query of which zone ought to produce his successor.

The controversy emerged after the Osun State League of Imams and Alfas, led by the Grand Imam of Osun, Shaykh Musa Animasahun, responded to a requirement by the Iwo Board of Ulama for an indigene of Iwo to be appointed chairman.

The League reportedly maintained that Isola, who hails from Osogbo zone, ought to stay in workplace till 2030, arguing that different zones ought to be thought of for the place after his tenure expires.

However, the Supreme Council of Islamic Scholars rejected the proposed extension, describing it as unfair and extreme.

“Any attempt to extend his tenure beyond this year 2026 will make him spend 12 years as Chairman of Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, which has never happened in any state in the South-West,” the council acknowledged.

The scholars mentioned Osogbo had cumulatively occupied the place for greater than 15 years, whereas Ijesa had held it for almost 11 years and Iwo for nearly seven years. 

They famous that Ife, Ede, Ikire, Ikirun and Ila-Orangun had but to supply a chairman.

The council additionally challenged the suggestion that the League of Imams and Alfas had unique authority to find out who ought to occupy the place, arguing that there was no regulation granting the organisation such powers.

It urged Adeleke to encourage Isola to go away workplace after finishing eight years and appoint a successor from an unrepresented zone, insisting that the transfer would promote equitable illustration and zonal stability within the administration of Muslim pilgrims’ affairs in Osun State.