The League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland has moved to distance itself from a planned launch of a rival organization bearing a similar name.
In a statement released Wednesday in Ibadan, the group flatly denied any involvement in fundraising activities connected to the new platform.
Sheikh Jamiu Kewulere, the League's President and Chief Imam of Ekiti State, signed the statement. He expressed concern about individuals and groups organizing these activities.
According to the League, these people are falsely claiming to represent or act on behalf of the established organization. The deception, it says, aims to mislead the Muslim community.
The League traces its origins back to 1964. Its founder was Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory, supported by founding fathers across the old Western Region.
"We have nothing to do with such fundraising exercises," the statement noted firmly. Officials emphasized this point repeatedly in their written clarification.
The organization described the move as an attempt to exploit its reputation for personal gain. It warned that such actions create confusion among Muslims.
The League positioned itself as the apex Islamic body in Nigeria's South-West region. Its core mission centers on fostering harmony among believers across Yorubaland.
Religious unity and cooperation have defined the organization's work for decades. Leaders say they remain committed to these principles today.
The group strongly condemned what it called deceptive practices by the unnamed individuals and groups. Such behavior, officials argued, undermines trust within the Muslim community.
The statement made clear the League will not participate in any associated activities. It urged community members to be cautious about false claims of affiliation.
Leaders worry that confusion could spark division among followers. Protecting the organization's legacy appears to be their immediate priority.
The League's warning signals growing tensions over who legitimately speaks for Islamic interests in the region. Only time will tell whether this clarification resolves the matter.
