Stakeholders in Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State, including the Owalukare Ruling House, Ikare Muslim Council and the Muslim Ummah, have rejected a directive seeking to reinstate Alhaji Abbass Muhammad as Chief Imam, describing the move as unlawful and capable of disrupting peace in the community.
The groups said the directive undermines the authority of the Olukare of Ikare and ignores the established process for appointing religious leaders in the town. They maintained that the decision does not reflect the will of the Muslim community and could trigger avoidable tension.
They further insisted that Alhaji Abbass Muhammad was duly removed from office, while the current Chief Imam, Sheikh Bisiriyu Saliu Temidire, was validly appointed in 2025 with the backing of the Ikare Muslim Council.
“This directive is unlawful and a threat to peace. It undermines the authority of the Olukare of Ikare and disregards the established process for appointing religious leaders in our community,” the stakeholders stated.
They warned that any attempt to impose leadership contrary to community consensus could lead to resistance and destabilise the area, stressing that the matter goes beyond legality and touches on communal harmony.
“Imposing leadership on the community could spark resistance and disrupt the peace. This issue is not just about legality, but about preserving the harmony and stability of Ikare,” they added.
The stakeholders called on relevant authorities to withdraw the directive and respect constituted traditional and religious structures, emphasising that only a competent court of law has the jurisdiction to determine such disputes, not administrative actions.
