By Akeem Alao Babatunde
* I am a practicing Muslim: Oba Owoade
* Defend your series of tweets where you made multiple references to Jesus as your Lord: Netizens
Another round of controversy has erupted over the religious identity of His Imperial Majesty, Aláàfin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Abdul-Akeem Owoade I, following his recent claim of being a “practicing Muslim.”
The declaration, made in a statement signed by his Chief of Staff, Mr Rotimi Osuntola, while addressing the restriction of movement during traditional rites, claimed that Oba Owoade I is a practicing Muslim.
According to him, “His Imperial Majesty himself being a practicing Muslim and a man of Iman (faith) will never toy with human rights and freedoms enshrined and guaranteed by the constitution.”
Muslim News however gathered that the statement has raised concerns within the Muslim community, with many demanding clarity on his religious stance.
The skepticism stems from resurfaced series of posts dating back over a decade, in which the monarch, then known as Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade, made multiple references to his Christian faith.
In a post on Nov 5, 2010, he wrote: “Our latter end shall be greater than our beginning in Jesus name.”
In another post, on February 11, 2011, he wrote: “How can anyone doubt the power of the LIVING & TRUE GOD, JESUS CHRIST? His presence is OVERPOWERING, OVERSHADOWING, OVERWHELMING……HIS INDEED MY GOD.”
Similarly, on June 28, 2011, he expressed gratitude to “Jehovah”, referring to God as “El Shaddai”, and ended his prayerful message in “Jesus’ name.”
Another tweet from September 12, 2012, encouraged perseverance, also invoking the name of Jesus.
He has since deleted the controversial posts immediately his appointment was approved by the Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, on January 10, 2025.
Reactions from Muslim community
In light of these past statements, the Muslim community is calling for a clear explanation from the Aláàfin. Has he formally reverted to Islam? If so, when did this happen, and has he publicly retracted his past declarations of Christian faith? Furthermore, there are questions regarding his current religious practices. Which mosque does he attend, both in Nigeria and abroad?
The demand for clarification follows growing concerns about the monarch’s alignment with Islamic teachings, especially given the significance of religious identity in the Oyo Kingdom.
The Muslim community demands that the Aláàfin’s faith should be transparent, as his position carries both cultural and religious significance.
Abdkareem Gbola Kaseem reacted, “He was born a Muslim, maybe he’s now revert back to Islam, I’m very sure it’ll be very difficult for him to rule oyo as a Christian. Oyo especially royal family are 80% Muslims.”
Fatai Afeez Ayokunmi said, “That Muslim name is one of the joker he to used become a king, he knows the importance of that name, but he can’t practice the law that surrounding the name , he wants to be everywhere. He’s using all the name for politics, this is not Islam.
Another person, Abidemi Ayinla wrote, “Sanusi Lafiagi Except the traditional institution in Yoruba land is reformed and totally free from shirk, or in instances where the muslim candidate will not go through shirk laced enthronement process and has a major Muslim community where he will discountenance shirk practices, a muslim has no business contesting or ascending any royal stool in yorubaland.”
Olayanju Sodiq wrote, “I believe we should accept the claim as it stands and allow events to unfold naturally. Initially, I had my doubts about his religious inclination until someone mentioned that they performed Umrah together. That said, whether he is Muslim or not should not be the primary concern, rather, the Curfew, which of course did not even seem to be anywhere here in Oyo.
“The Alaafin’s stool is fundamentally a traditional institution. Nonetheless, if he is a Muslim, it is expected that he will observe Jumu’ah prayers and take his place in the front row during Eid celebrations. So… I don’t see any point debating this. With due respect, Sir.
“While the palace statement emphasized that the Oba is a man of “Iman (faith)” and respects constitutional freedoms, it stopped short of directly addressing the conflicting records of his religious history. Until he provides a direct response to these concerns, the debate over the Aláàfin’s true religious identity is likely to persist,” Kazeem Ibrahim added.
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