Osogbo Chief Imam, Animasahun breaks silence on SRJ, Muniru’s new Islamic titles

The Chief Imam of Osogbo, Sheikh Rabiu Musa Animasahun has affirmed the conferment of Islamic titles on Senator Basiru Surajudeen Ajibola popularly known as SRJ and Alhaji Muniru Adebayo Raji.

Senator Basiru Surajudeen Ajibola is the Nation Secretary of All Progressive Congress (APC) while Alhaji Muniru Adebayo Raji is serving as Special Adviser to Osun State Governor, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Jackson Adeleke.

Both Ajibola Basiru and Muniru Raji hail from Osogbo the Osun State capital. Both are devoted Muslims who have contributed significantly to Islam.

OsunReporters News had earlier reported appointment of Muniru Raji and the objection raised by some people within Osogbo.

While reacting to the controversy on the appointment of Muniru Raji as the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogbo, the Chief Imam said Raji is eminently qualified for Islamic title bestowed on him. He explained that as the Chief Imam of Osogbo and Chairman of 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.

  Basiru              Animasahun        Muniru

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.”

“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 Chief Tunde Badmus wanted some individuals including Barrister Rasheed 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 decisions of the Chief Imam,” Sheikh Rabiu Musa Animasahun concluded.