Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland (Rabitah tul Aimma wal hulammai fii biladi Yoruba) has declared that it has no anointed candidates.
The clerics said they would not or cannot declare support for any politician or political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clerics, who made this declaration at the opening of a 3- day conference organised by the league for Imams, Alfas, for political office holders and traditional rulers, explained that the league is not a political party but gathering of Islamic clerics.
The event with the theme “The responsibilities of politicians and electorate during and after electoral process” was held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Saturday.
Speaking on behalf of the league, Sheikh Muhammad Habibullah Adam Abdullahi El-Ilory said “We are religious leaders, we are not politicians, but we are the fathers of politicians. We will not declare support for any political party or politicians.
“We the league of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland cannot declare support or announce our support for any politician or political party. We can only pray to God for Him to give us credible leaders”.
Also President of the league, Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere in his contribution, noted that the focus of clerics should be to guide the people and preach the religion of Islam.
He said, “We are not politicians. An Imam is not supposed to involved in politics. Our focus should be to guide people and preach the religion of Islam in line with the Islamic principles”.
The Grand Mufti of Yoruba Land, Sheikh AbdulRasaq AbdulAzeez Ishola in his contribution explained that the programme was organised in order to ensure unity and cooperation among Muslims Yorubaland prior, during and after the next general elections.
Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde while addressing the gathering, urged Nigerians to see themselves as one.
He advised Muslim clerics not to allow people to use religion to cause confusion in the forthcoming general elections.
At the event, two professors, Amidu Sanni and Adam Surajudeen delivered lectures at the opening ceremony.
The conference was attended by Presidential candidate of Allied Peoples Movement, APM and governor of Oyo State, governor Seyi Makinde, APM gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, Abimbola Adekanmbi, his Deputy, Mr Open Salawu and gubernatorial candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the State, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi.
