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

A group of Islamic scholars in Osun State has urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to appoint the next chairman of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board from a zone that has never occupied the position.

The Supreme Council of Islamic Scholars of Nigeria, Osun branch, made the appeal in a letter dated October 9, 2026, warning against any arrangement that could extend the tenure of the incumbent chairman, Dr Moruf Isola, beyond this year.

The council argued that appointing a successor would promote fairness and inclusiveness, particularly for zones that have yet to produce a chairman of the board.

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

The council’s position followed a disagreement among Islamic groups over the incumbent chairman’s tenure and the question of which zone should 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 demand 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, should remain in office until 2030, arguing that other zones should be considered for the position after his tenure expires.

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

“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 stated.

The scholars said Osogbo had cumulatively occupied the position for more than 15 years, while Ijesa had held it for nearly 11 years and Iwo for almost seven years. 

They noted that Ife, Ede, Ikire, Ikirun and Ila-Orangun had yet to produce a chairman.

The council also challenged the suggestion that the League of Imams and Alfas had exclusive authority to determine who should occupy the position, arguing that there was no law granting the organisation such powers.

It urged Adeleke to encourage Isola to leave office after completing eight years and appoint a successor from an unrepresented zone, insisting that the move would promote equitable representation and zonal balance in the management of Muslim pilgrims’ affairs in Osun State.