The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has reaffirmed the commitment of Muslims in the area to follow the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto on all Islamic matters.
Akeugberu stated this amid what he described as the resilience of Muslims in Yoruba land in the face of attempts by divisive elements, allegedly driven by political motives, to incite them against the leadership of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah.
According to him, “The Ummah in Oyo Land will, by the will of Allah, follow the leadership of the Sultan in all Islamic-related matters.”
He added that the position aligns with Islamic teachings, noting that it conforms with the Sunnah as contained in the Glorious Qur’an and the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Earlier, the Grand Chief Imam — who is also a legal practitioner and former Secretary-General of the Amalgamated Muslim Rights Concern (AMURIC) — issued a statement from his office announcing that the commencement of Ramadan fasting in Oyo Land would not be declared independently.
In the statement personally signed by him, Akeugberu said Muslims in Oyo Land would await the official declaration of moon sighting by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, before beginning the Ramadan fast.
“The general public is hereby notified to await the official announcement from His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, regarding the commencement of the Ramadan fasting,” the statement read.
