Oduduwa group rebukes Iwo cleric, demand urgent investigation, constitutional overhaul
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The Oduduwa Nation Youth has distanced itself from the Grand Mufti of Iwo Land, Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan, and rejected what it describes as his “self-acclaimed” status as Grand Mufti of Yorubaland.
In a sharply worded statement issued and signed by its leader, Comrade Oyegunle Oluwamayowa Omotoyole (Omayor), the group said Sheikh Molaasan’s public conduct and pronouncements have caused “widespread concern” across Yoruba communities.
The youth organization insisted that the cleric holds no pan-Yoruba religious authority and accused him of disrespecting revered traditional institutions, particularly the Ooni of Ile-Ife, regarded as the foremost custodian of Yoruba culture.
The group referenced several incidents it claims have intensified fears over rising insecurity in parts of the South-West. Among these is a 2017 gathering in Iwo, reportedly organised with the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi.
According to the youth group, public reaction at the time reflected heightened anxiety about extremist infiltration, an issue they say still troubles residents.
The statement also condemned comments allegedly made by Sheikh Molaasan encouraging Islamic leaders to teach young people how to handle firearms.
The Oduduwa Nation Youth described such rhetoric as “dangerous” and capable of inciting violence, particularly in a region historically known for its religious tolerance.
They further claimed that tensions between religious communities especially Christians and adherents of traditional faiths have worsened in recent yearsb attributing this to what they describe as “divisive and inflammatory” remarks associated with the Mufti of Iwo and his allies.
While emphasising that Islam has long existed peacefully in Yorubaland, the group argued that recent controversies have undermined interfaith harmony and contributed to anxiety about security, including reports of kidnappings and killings.
The statement however called on the Federal Government and international bodies to “urgently investigate” the activities of Sheikh Molaasan, the Oluwo of Iwo, and their supporters and warned that failure to act swiftly could threaten the peace and unity of the region.
The group also reiterated its opposition to any attempt to introduce Shari’a law in Yoruba territory, saying such moves contradict the cultural and religious plurality of the region.
In a more radical turn, the Oduduwa Nation Youth urged young people across the region to support what it described as either the dissolution of Nigeria or the nullification of the 1999 Constitution, which it characterized as a product of military fiat.
The group argued that only through such structural change could Yoruba people safeguard their land, manage their resources effectively, and resist “invading forces.”
The statement concluded with a call for unity among Yoruba youth in defending the peace and cultural integrity of the region.
