Olayomi Koiki and Morakinyo Akinosun
The Yoruba Nation Youths, both at home and the diaspora, have issued a strong warning to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, against pushing for the establishment of Sharia courts in South-West region of Nigeria.
In a joint statement, Prophet Ayodele Ologunloluwa, Yoruba National Youth Leader (Diaspora), and Comrade Oyegunle Oluwamayowa Omotoyole, Homebase Leader, expressed concern over what they described as an attempt by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) to impose Sharia law in the South-West, warning that it could destabilize the region.
The youths described the move as part of a broader agenda to “enslave and conquer” the Yoruba people.
“We reject Sharia law or courts in Yoruba Land. This scheme is hypocritical and contrary to our culture, tradition, and lifestyle,” said the statement.
The youth leaders urged traditional rulers and governors in the region to resist the proposal, cautioning them against being deceived into supporting it.
The statement comes in response to a press release by the Deputy National Legal Adviser of the NSCIA, Imam Haroun Muhammad Eze, dated January 29, 2025, which advocated for the establishment of Sharia Arbitration Panels in Ekiti, Oyo, and other parts of the South-West. Eze cited Section 275 of the 1999 Constitution as a legal basis for Sharia Courts of Appeal, similar to Customary Courts of Appeal.
The Yoruba youths branded this as “laughable” and “suicidal,” stating that such a move would destabilize the region and lead to unrest.
They argued that the 12 Northern states where Sharia law is being practiced have become characterized by poverty, corruption, terrorism, and instability.
“Yoruba Land is distinct from the North, and Sharia law contradicts our culture and tradition,” they declared.
The youths warned that any attempt to establish Sharia courts in the South-West would be seen as a call for civil unrest.
“We will resist it with our last blood. Sharia is alien to our culture, and it has no place in Yoruba Land,” they said in the statement.
They urged the Governors and Traditional Rulers of the region to stand firm against the NSCIA’s proposal, stressing that peace and development in Yoruba Land must not be compromised.
There have been series of opposition from groups against the implementation of Sharia law in the southwestern region of Nigeria.
Last week, a Yoruba group held a street awareness in the ancient town of Oyo and a press conference , rejecting the introduction of Sharia in the region. Another round of awareness and press conference was held in Ekiti State on Tuesday.
The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, on Saturday, ordered the dissolution of the Sharia panel set up at the Central Mosque in Ado Ekiti.
The Ekiti State government had said existing legal structure in the state did not recognise the Sharia Court or Sharia Arbitration Panel, with the State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Dayo Apata, (SAN) calling for caution after reports stipulating the first public sitting of a Shari’ah Panel in the state which resolved two marriage disputes.
The Ogun State Government also warned against any attempt to establish a Sharia Court in the southwestern state.
The Yoruba Nation Religious Council (YONAREC), a coalition of the Yorùbá Nation Christian Association (YORNCA) , Muslim Association of Yorùbá Nation (MAYON), and Imo Oodaiye Orile Ede Yorùbá (IMỌ OODÁIYÉ/IṢẸṢẸ), also rejected the Islamic law.
Traditional leaders in the southwestern region of the country have also warned that any attempt to initiate Sharia law in the region will cause anarchy, division, and instability.
The United Kingdom (UK) and Europe branch of Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, otherwise known as UK Afenifere strongly rejected the clamour by some Muslims for the establishment of Sharia law in the South-West region.
The group cautioned those clamouring for the establishment of Sharia law in the South-West to immediately desist from such acts to avoid disunity amongst the Yoruba people.
The group said Yoruba people are too intelligent and enlightened to be gaslighted along religious divides.
The group added that the predominantly Yoruba South-West is distinct from the Northern region where Muslims are in the majority.
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