An Historical Analysis of Imamship Tussles in Ekiti State Nigeria and Possible Solutions

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The Muslims “ummah” (communities) today in most of the towns and villages in Ekiti State of Nigeria are divided, torn many Muslim communities apart and in a disarray as a result of many cases of “Imamship” (the position or function of an Imam) in the area. The aims and objectives of this study, therefore, are to analyze the causes and the effects of “Imamship” tussles in the area. And also narrate some of the problems encountered in the selection of Imams in in the area and the possible solutions were recommended. This research work is historical and analytical in nature. Narrative method shall be adopted for the study. Data and relevant information for the study were collected through oral and written sources. The paper revealed that, among the causes of the “Imamship” tussles in the area are: appointing one of the contestants to be Acting Imam and biased on the part of “Imamship” Committee. The paper recommended that, any contestant for Imam should not be appointed to be Acting Imam. Since he was a contestant to the position of Imam, he should have not been appointed to be an Acting Imam of the town. Also, “Imamship” Committees were biased, for instance, where some of the Committee members were supporters of one candidate or the other. Or where the result of the interview was known by the candidates and their followers before the announcement of the result before the Committee made official announcement.
KEY WORD: Contradictory; Subjugation; Imamship; Tussles; Committee. 

IKHTISAR: “Analisis Historis mengenai Konflik Perebutan Jabatan Imam di Negara Bagian Ekiti, Nigeria, dan Kemungkinan Solusinya”. Saat ini, umat Muslim di sebagian besar kota dan desa di Negara Bagian Ekiti, Nigeria, mengalami perpecahan dan kekacauan akibat berbagai kasus konflik terkait jabatan Imam di wilayah tersebut. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis penyebab dan dampak dari konflik perebutan jabatan Imam di wilayah tersebut, serta menguraikan permasalahan yang muncul dalam proses pemilihan Imam dan merekomendasikan solusi yang mungkin diterapkan. Penelitian ini bersifat historis dan analitis dengan menggunakan metode naratif. Data dan informasi yang relevan dikumpulkan melalui sumber-sumber lisan maupun tertulis. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa beberapa penyebab konflik perebutan jabatan Imam di wilayah tersebut antara lain adalah penunjukan salah satu kandidat sebagai Penjabat Imam serta sikap tidak objektif (bias) dari Panitia Pemilihan Imam. Penelitian ini merekomendasikan agar kandidat calon Imam tidak ditunjuk sebagai Penjabat Imam. Sebab, kalau ia merupakan salah satu kandidat untuk jabatan tersebut, seharusnya ia tidak ditunjuk sebagai Penjabat Imam di kota itu. Selain itu, ditemukan adanya sikap bias pada Panitia Pemilihan Imam, misalnya ketika beberapa anggota Panitia merupakan pendukung salah satu kandidat, atau ketika hasil wawancara sudah diketahui oleh kandidat dan para pendukungnya sebelum Panitia mengeluarkan pengumuman resmi.
KATA KUNCI: Kontradiktif; Penundukan; Jabatan Imam; Konflik; Panitia.

About the Author: Dr. Yisa Olorunda Balogun is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Arts Education, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, Nigeria. E-mail address: balogun.yisa@coeikere.edu.ng

Suggested Citation: Balogun, Yisa Olorunda. (2026). “An Historical Analysis of Imamship Tussles in Ekiti State Nigeria and Possible Solutions” in SUSURGALUR: Jurnal Kajian Sejarah & Pendidikan Sejarah, Volume 14(2), September, pp.121-136. Bandung, Indonesia and Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam: MINDAMAS Foundation, ASPENSI, and PERSEBAR with ISSN 2302-5808 (print) and ISSN 2684-7388 (online).

Article Timeline: Accepted (July 1, 2026); Revised (August 4, 2026); and Published (September 15, 2026).