The National Da’awa Council of Ahlussunna Wal Jama’a (ASWAJ) has removed Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam from the position of National Imam and appointed its Northern Regional Imam, Sheikh Ibrahim Baasha, as interim replacement.
The decision was contained in a resolution dated Tuesday, November 4, after 21 members voted in favour of a no-confidence motion under Article 11(3) of the ASWAJ constitution.
Four members were recorded as absent: Sheikh Dr Bashir Adam, Sheikh Zackaria Addo, Sheikh Khidir Adam and Sheikh Dr Abbass Sakhr. The resolution lists 25 members in total.
Article 11(3), as cited by the Council, permits the body that elected the National Imam to remove him through a two-thirds vote of no confidence.
ASWAJ said the vote followed allegations of constitutional violations and misconduct. The resolution did not provide details of those allegations, which remain claims made by the Council.
Sheikh Umar was informed of the allegations on 18 October and was given until 27 October to respond. However, the Council said that neither a written nor an oral response had been received from his office by the time of the vote.
No public response to the decision had been issued by Sheikh Umar or his office by Saturday morning.
The position of National Imam was declared vacant from 4 November. Sheikh Umar was also instructed to immediately hand over ASWAJ property, official documents, stamps, records and other assets.
The Council said registration authorities, financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders should be notified of the change. It added that a substantive National Imam should subsequently be elected in accordance with the constitution.
Interim appointment
On Wednesday, the Council appointed Sheikh Ibrahim Baasha, ASWAJ’s Northern Regional Imam and a founding member, to serve as interim National Imam. He is also referred to as Sheikh Ibrahim Barsha.
The appointment notice said it was intended to “ensure administrative continuity, maintain institutional stability and facilitate a smooth transition”. It did not cite a constitutional provision covering the appointment of an interim National Imam.
Sheikh Bashaa Ibrahim, identified in the resolution among the 21 members who voted, is also named as the Northern Regional Imam.
After Friday prayers in Tamale, he confirmed that he had accepted the appointment.
“I accept it with both hands, and I will try my best to ensure that everything falls in line,” he said at a briefing.
He also urged people commenting online to use language that would help preserve peace.
In an address after prayers at Masjid Al Bayanin Tamale, Sheikh Ibrahim Baasha said the change in leadership required “patience, maturity, mutual respect and strict adherence to the ASWAJ Constitution”.
The Council has called on its members to remain calm, follow the constitution and protect the peace and unity of the organisation.
