NADAC Chairman challenges removal of Sheikh Umar as ASWAJ Imam
Accra: Dr Mohammed Bashir Adam, Chairman of the National Da’wah Council (NADAC) of Ahlussunna Wal Jama’a (ASWAJ), has rejected the removal of Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam as National Imam.
In a public disclaimer issued on November 5, 2026 and endorsed by the ASWAJ Headquarters, Dr. Adam said he had no knowledge of the meeting.
“As chairman of NADAC, I have not summoned any meeting to discuss the National Imam, and I have not also authorised anybody to convene this meeting whatsoever,” he said.
The disclaimer challenges the NADAC resolution dated November 4, 2026, which declared Sheikh Umar removed from office following a vote of no confidence.
The resolution, signed by 21 members, said the decision was taken under Article 11(3) of the ASWAJ Constitution, which provides for the removal of an officeholder when “two-thirds or more of the members of the council/committee that elected him pass a vote of no confidence in him.”
Four members were recorded as absent from the meeting, including Dr Adam.
Dr Adam, however, disputed the authority of the signatories, claiming that they were neither subscribers to the ASWAJ Constitution nor National Executives qualified to remove the National Imam.
“None of the purported signatories is a National Executive of ASWAJ and therefore, not qualified to impeach the National Imam,” he said.
The Constitution identifies NADAC as the body responsible for electing the National Imam and his two deputies and provides for the Council to remove an officeholder through a two-thirds vote of the body that elected him.
On the convening of meetings, Article 14(3) provides that other meetings shall be determined by the membership of the relevant council, while Article 14(7) allows the hierarchy of a council to convene an emergency meeting when necessary.
The provisions do not expressly state that the NADAC Chairman must personally convene or authorise every meeting of the Council.
Article 14(6) also provides for a two-thirds quorum for meetings. The 21 affirmative votes recorded in the removal resolution exceed two-thirds of the 25 members indicated in the document, although the Council’s official membership and attendance records would be needed to confirm the figures.
Dr Adam further alleged that the removal documents, including the resolution of November 4, were issued after court proceedings had commenced and an interlocutory injunction had been granted.
“These documents circulating on social media, with one dated 18th October, 2026, and the other being yesterday, 4th November, 2026, are both tendered way after the court had begun hearing of the case and had even issued an interlocutory injunction,” he said.
He described the removal and the subsequent appointment of Sheikh Ibrahim Baasha as Interim National Imam as contempt of court, arguing that the leadership dispute was already before the judiciary.
Dr Adam urged ASWAJ members, the Muslim community and the general public to disregard both the removal of Sheikh Umar and the appointment of Sheikh Baasha.
The removal resolution, however, said Sheikh Umar had been notified of allegations against him on October 18 and given until October 27, 2026, to respond.
It stated that NADAC had received no formal written response or verbal communication from his office by the time of the meeting.
A separate public notice issued by NADAC on November 5 announced Sheikh Baasha, the Northern Regional Imam and a founding member of ASWAJ, as Interim National Imam to ensure administrative continuity and institutional stability.
The appointment notice said he would serve pending further notice and the appropriate constitutional processes.
The ASWAJ Constitution provides for the First Deputy National Imam to act in the National Imam’s absence and makes provisions for further succession where the deputies are also absent. It does not expressly address the appointment of a separate interim National Imam following removal through a vote of no confidence.
Dr Adam said the court was the appropriate body to determine the dispute and called on all parties to respect its proceedings.
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