The Oluwo of Iwo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, has called on Muslim clerics and Islamic scholars across Nigeria to actively participate in politics, describing their involvement as crucial for good governance, ethical leadership, and national development.
Oba Akanbi made the call while addressing a gathering of Muslim leaders and stakeholders during a special Iftar programme held at his palace in Iwo.
“Muslim clerics must not shy away from politics. If anything, they have a sacred duty to join the political space and bring the values of justice, integrity, and compassion taught by Islam into governance,” Oluwo stated. “When righteous people withdraw from politics, the vacuum is filled by those who lack moral compass. We need more God-fearing individuals in leadership positions.”
The respected monarch argued that the separation of religion from politics has contributed to many of the challenges facing the nation, including corruption, poor leadership, and social injustice. He emphasized that Islamic teachings offer timeless principles that can guide policy-making in areas such as education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and security.
“Politics is too important to be left only to politicians. Scholars and clerics who understand the Quran and Sunnah should bring their knowledge to bear on how our society is governed,” he added. “An honest Muslim leader in politics can serve as a beacon of hope and a model of accountability.”
Oba Akanbi urged Muslim clerics to prepare themselves adequately by acquiring relevant knowledge in governance, law, and public administration while maintaining strong spiritual grounding. He warned against using religion for personal political gain, stressing that the goal must always be service to humanity and the betterment of society.
The Oluwo commended several Muslim leaders who have ventured into politics with integrity and called for more to follow suit, noting that Nigeria’s diversity requires inclusive participation from all faith-based communities in shaping the nation’s future.
He reiterated his commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence, religious harmony, and responsible leadership in Osun State and across the country.