The Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Sheikh Yunus Olushina Teliat Ayilara II, PhD, did not endorse any governorship candidate or direct Muslims to vote for any particular political party or individual ahead of the forthcoming Osun State Governorship Election.
On June 21, 2026, the Muslim Political Awareness Front (MUPAF) invited the respected Islamic scholar, alongside other prominent clerics, to a programme held at GMT Event Centre, Osogbo, Osun State. As one of the leading Islamic scholars in Yorubaland, Sheikh Ayilara attended the event as the Chief Guest Lecturer.
During his lecture, the Grand Chief Imam encouraged Muslims in Osun State to speak with one voice during the coming election so that their interests would be recognized and respected by whoever emerges victorious on August 15, 2026. He emphasized that political unity would strengthen the Muslim communityโs influence, make their population count politically, and improve their ability to demand and protect their rights, just as other faith-based groups often do.
While advising Muslims to consider supporting Muslim candidates, it is important to note that the three major governorship candidates in Osun State are all Muslims:
- Senator Ademola Adeleke Nurudeen Jackson โ Accord Party
- Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) โ APC
- Rt. Hon. Najeem Salam Folasayo โ ADC
Therefore, it is inaccurate and misleading to claim that the Grand Chief Imam endorsed any specific candidate.
In explaining his position, Sheikh Ayilara referenced the 2023 General Election, where three Muslim presidential candidatesโBola Ahmed Tinubu (APC), Atiku Abubakar (PDP), and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (NNPP)โcontested alongside Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who is a Christian.
According to the Imamโs observation, many Christian leaders openly encouraged their members to support Peter Obi, and a significant number of Christian voters followed that directive. In contrast, Muslim voters largely divided their votes among different candidates based on personal and political preferences rather than collective religious interests.
He cited this development as one of the factors that contributed to Tinubuโs loss in Lagos State during the presidential election.
A notable example can be found at a polling unit located at Seminary Baptist Grammar School, Ibapon, ward 4, Ogbomoso South, Oyo State, where Peter Obi recorded a remarkable victory over Tinubu. Similarly, the APC senatorial candidate at the time, now Senator Fatai Buhari, also lost at the polling unit, while the APC House of Representatives candidate, Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, emerged victorious, a result many attributed to religious voting patterns.
Against this background, supporters of the Imam argue that if religious leaders from other faiths are permitted to guide their followers politically, it is unfair to criticize the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland for advising Muslims to pursue political unity and collective interest.
For the avoidance of doubt, Sheikh Yunus Olushina Teliat Ayilara II did not instruct Muslims to vote for any candidate or political party. He merely advised them to unite and speak with one voice on election day in order to strengthen their political relevance and protect their collective interests.
