Tinubu, AbdulRazaq, Saraki Mourn Ilorin Chief Imam

President Bola Tinubu, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and former Senate President Bukola Saraki have expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Solih, who passed away at the age of 75.

Sheikh Solih, a highly respected Islamic scholar and spiritual leader, died on Sunday after a lifetime devoted to the teaching of Islam, community service, and the promotion of peace and moral values in Ilorin Emirate and beyond.

In a condolence message, President Tinubu described the late Chief Imam as a “towering religious figure” whose life was marked by humility, scholarship, and unwavering commitment to the unity of the nation. The President extended his sympathies to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the Ilorin Emirate Council, and the family of the deceased, praying for Allah’s mercy upon his soul.

Governor AbdulRazaq said the passing of Sheikh Solih was a great loss not only to Ilorin but to the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria. He noted that the late Chief Imam played a stabilising role in the religious and social life of the state, offering wise counsel and promoting peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths.

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki also mourned the cleric, describing him as a man of deep knowledge and integrity who lived a life of service to God and humanity. Saraki said Sheikh Solih’s teachings and exemplary character would continue to inspire generations.

The late Chief Imam is remembered for his scholarly contributions, devotion to prayer, and efforts at mentoring younger Islamic scholars. Funeral prayers were held in Ilorin in accordance with Islamic rites, attended by religious leaders, traditional rulers, government officials, and thousands of faithful.

He is survived by his family and a large community of followers who regard his death as the end of an era in Ilorin’s Islamic leadership.