Oloyede, Alaro, LEMU emphasise Imams’ roles in politics
The Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Professor of Law at the University of Ilorin, AbdulRazzaq AbdulMajeed Alaro, and Chief Imam of
The Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Professor of Law at the University of Ilorin, AbdulRazzaq AbdulMajeed Alaro, and Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Dr Ridwanullah Jamiu, have called on Islamic leaders to take active roles in politics.
The trio and others spoke during the annual Imams Conference on Politics and Leadership organised by Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU) in Lekki.
The conference deepened discussions on the evolving role of religious leaders in shaping political consciousness and ethical leadership within society.
LEMU President, Dr AbdulGaniy Labinjo, said the objectives of the conference were not just about the election, but meant to provide a forum for Imams to interact, discuss issues, and be guided by those knowledgeable in the Qur’an and contemporary matters.
“For more than seven years, we have organised various conferences, and different groups have benefitted immensely. This one is for Imams, and that is why we always see an increase in participants. That shows they are benefiting. Today, we have more than 400 Imams in attendance, along with eminent scholars,” he stated.
Prof. Oloyede, who is the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), said religious leaders can contribute meaningfully to political development while maintaining spiritual integrity.
Imams, he said, should educate their congregation and not be outwardly partisan.
He stated that any Imam who wishes to contest an elective position should first resign as Imam to avoid polarising the mosque.
He added that it is not out of place to make demands for supporting any candidate.
“We can also say this is our minimum requirement to vote for you. We want A, B, C, D and the politician will consider it. It should not be about voting in expectation of gratification that will not last, or monetising your vote. This will help us take informed positions aligned with the interests of the Muslim community,” he said.
Prof Alaro, while offering insights into Islamic jurisprudence on civic participation and electoral processes, warned of an existential threat.
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He noted that some scholars agreed that democracy is against Islamic teachings, while voting as a concept is acceptable in Islam.
He said: “Be that as it may, the issue of elections, according to the perspective of the majority of scholars worldwide, is that you weigh the two evils: participating or not participating in democracy. Clearly, there is danger in both. Participating means engaging in something not fully in line with Islamic teachings; not participating isolates you as a people and as a community, which constitutes an existential threat.
“Without existence, you cannot practice your religion. That is the perspective we try to analyse. As Muslims, we do not support democracy as practised to the extent that people are free to choose anything irrespective of Sharia or Allah’s dictates. At the same time, we must not isolate ourselves from the process of selecting leaders, because the danger of isolation is far greater than the risk we seek to avoid by not participating. This is the position of many scholars, not just in Nigeria but worldwide.”
Dr Jamiu stated that Islam is a complete way of life just as politics affects the lives of every Muslim in society.
He said: “Our religion is comprehensive; it touches on everything that matters to human beings. As Muslims, our religion is not limited to the masjid alone—Islam is a way of life. It guides what a Muslim should eat and avoid, how he should dress, and how he should relate with others in business, family, and society. Islam is a complete way of life.
“One of the issues that also affects Muslims is politics and how we choose our leaders. Imams are the closest to the people because they lead prayers five times a day. They need proper guidance so they can guide their congregation. Elections are coming, and Muslims must participate. If you fail to participate because politics is “dirty,” you leave it to the dirty people, and they will mess up everything. That will affect us one way or another.”
