By Dayo Johnson Akure

The Oduduwa Nation Youth has expressed worries and rejected and distanced itself from the self acclaimed status of Grand Mufti of Yoruba land  by Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan.

It’s leader, Comrade Oyegunle Oluwamayowa Omotoyole, in a statement,  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 asked him to stop disrespecting 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.

They equally condemned comments allegedly made by Sheikh Molaasan encouraging Islamic leaders to teach young people how to handle firearms.

According to them such rhetoric is “dangerous” and capable of inciting violence, particularly in a region historically known for its religious tolerance.

The youth body further claimed that tensions between religious communities especially Christians and adherents of traditional faiths have worsened in recent years.

 They attribute 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 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.

They urged young people across the region to support 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 called for unity among Yoruba youth in defending the peace and cultural integrity of the region.