Some Islamic leaders in the South-West have vowed to reject and vote out politicians opposing the establishment of Sharia courts in the region.
They also threatened legal action against any governor resisting the practice of Sharia, arguing that such opposition infringes on the religious rights of Muslims.
Several Islamic organisations, including the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria and the Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria, have called for the creation of Sharia courts in Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, and Lagos states to handle personal law and community disputes.
Proponents argue that the courts would cater to the needs of Muslim residents, particularly in personal and family law matters, without infringing on the rights of others.
The push for Sharia courts gained momentum in October 2024, when the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs inaugurated an independent Sharia Arbitration Panel in Ekiti State.
The panel, presided over by three Kadhis; Imam Abdullahi Abdul-Mutolib, Imam Abdulraheem Junaid-Bamigbola, and Dr Ibrahim Aminullahi-Ogunrinde, aim to provide arbitration based on Islamic jurisprudence.
However, the move has sparked controversy, with some Yoruba nation activists and agitators rejecting the initiative and insisting that the region, which comprises Christians, Muslims, and traditionalists, cannot accommodate Sharia courts.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, also opposed the establishment of a Sharia court in the state. According to him, its legal framework does not recognise such a system.
He said, “No Sharia court is authorised to operate within Ogun State. The courts legally empowered to adjudicate disputes are those established by the Nigerian Constitution or state laws, including Magistrates’ Courts, High Courts, Customary Courts, Customary Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court.
“No law in Ogun State establishes a Sharia court, and Sharia law does not form part of the legal framework by which the Ogun State Government administers and governs society.”
But the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, argued that establishing Sharia panels would foster peace in the region.
Oloyede, who is also the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, said, “For sustainable peace, there is nothing wrong with Muslims having Sharia courts in the South-West.”
Also defending the call for Sharia courts, the Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, Sheikh Ridwan Jamiu, urged Muslims to demand a formal pledge from any politician seeking their votes, insisting that the establishment of Sharia courts in Yoruba states was long overdue.
Speaking during his Jumu’ah sermon, he specifically appealed to Muslims in the South-West to ensure that any governorship candidate in the 2027 elections committed to establishing Sharia courts that would cater exclusively to Muslims.
Jamiu stated, “Oh Muslims, as elections approach, any candidate seeking your support for governorship must pledge to establish Sharia courts. If they refuse to sign an agreement with the Muslim community, do not vote for them.”
Other prominent Islamic clerics also backed Jamiu’s stance, saying Muslims should reject politicians opposed to the establishment of Sharia courts in the South-West.
The National President of Jama’at Ta’awunil Muslimeen, Sheikh Daood Imran, described it as sinful for any Muslim to support or vote for a politician opposed to the practice of Sharia law.
He urged Islamic leaders in the region to mobilise Muslims against politicians who resist the establishment of Sharia courts.
“We will appeal to them (political leaders) to understand why Sharia law must be practised by Muslims in South-West states. But if, after our appeals and explanations, they still refuse to allow us to practise our religion as it should be done, then Islamic leaders should instruct Muslims in such local governments or states not to vote for such politicians.
“No Muslim should vote for any politician who is against Sharia. Any Muslim who does so has sinned against God and is unwise because they are denying themselves the right to practise their religion as stipulated and supporting those who oppose it with their votes.
“A good Muslim who understands Islam cannot vote or support a politician who is against Sharia. We are not criminals, so we should not be prevented from practising our religion the way it should be.”
Imran further said, “Why is it that now that we are demanding Sharia law, the government is opposing it? Our leaders need to be educated on this issue. Sharia is not against anybody or any religion; it does not force Islam on anyone.
“Sharia law is not binding on non-Muslims, nor does it override federal and state laws. We are not fighting anybody; we are only appealing to the government to let us practise our religion as stipulated. But if the government refuses to listen to our appeals, seek knowledge on Sharia, or accept our religion as it is, we will vote against such a government. We have the right to reject or vote against them.”
Similarly, the Secretary-General of the League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State, Tajudeen Adewunmi, called on political leaders to seek knowledge and clarification on Sharia before making decisions on establishing Sharia courts in the region.
He argued that those opposing Sharia in the South-West were not speaking from a place of knowledge, adding that they must consult knowledgeable persons to understand the grievances of Muslims.
Adewunmi said, “Sharia is not only part of Islam; it is the totality of Islam. Everything we do as Muslims is guided by Sharia. I agree with the position of the Imam of Lekki Central Mosque. However, I want to call for caution. Perhaps we should ask the governors why they are against Sharia.
“The politicians should also seek clarification from Islamic leaders. Is Sharia something that can benefit society or not? Is it against the law?”
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the Chairman of the Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria, Sheikh Abdurrasheed Mayaleeke, said Muslims in the region were prepared to use every legal means to get the government to authorise Sharia courts.
“If democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people, then South-West Muslims are conscious enough to use what we have to get what we want.
“There are no questions about Sharia panels, but regarding the Sharia Court of Appeal, we are ready to use every legal means to achieve whatever we consider beneficial for us without violating the rights of others,” Mayaleeke said.
Also speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the Founder of Al-Haqu Islamic Study and Prayer Group of Nigeria, Sheikh Kamal Olohungbebe, said for politicians to secure Muslim support, governments in the region must implement Sharia.
“Muslims will support any government that does what we want. We will only vote for those who support Sharia,” he said.
The cleric added that if South-West governors did not approve of Sharia, they would be taken to court.
An associate member of the Nigerian Association for the Study of Religions, Dr Uthman Siddiq, said preventing Muslims from practising Sharia was a clear violation of their rights.
“The government should stop the apprehension and ignorant stereotyping. The Sharia panels are not going to cut off hands; they are centres for mediation and reconciliation for devoted Muslims.
“Nigeria is a secular state, and there is a standing rule and right to freedom of association and religion that allows every individual to practise their religion as they see fit. People mistakenly view Sharia as something that affects everyone. Sharia is primarily for Muslims,” he said.
However, the Secretary-General of the Ogun State Muslim Council, Kamaldeen Akintunde, disagreed with those calling on Muslims not to support or vote for politicians opposed to Sharia practices.
He described the call as an “extreme measure” and cautioned against politicising Sharia in the region.
“I don’t think we need to take that measure; we don’t have to be sentimental. Saying that Muslims should not vote for governments or politicians who do not support Sharia is going too far.
“The issue is now becoming political. The priority now should be educating Nigerians on the benefits and significance of Sharia law in our region or country,” Akintunde said.
Meanwhile, state governments in the South-West have said they remained unperturbed by calls for Muslims to reject politicians opposed to the establishment of Sharia courts.
Reacting to the clerics’ position, the Special Adviser on Media to the Lagos State Governor, Gboyega Akoshile, reiterated the state’s commitment to religious freedom and its focus on development.
He stated, “It is the (Lekki) imam’s personal opinion. This is Lagos State; people have the freedom to associate and practise any religion of their choice. It is not only Muslims who reside in Lagos; there are also Christians, traditional worshippers, freethinkers, and atheists.
“The government is here to focus on the development of the state, not to be preoccupied with religious activities. What is more important to the government is the elevation of the living standards of the people, not worrying about religion.”
On his part, the Oyo State government maintained that the Nigerian Constitution guides its formation of Sharia panels in the state.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, explained that the state government would not do anything contrary to the nation’s Constitution.
He said, “The Oyo State Government will only operate based on the Constitution of Nigeria. If the Constitution permits it, we will allow it because we are a state. We will not do anything that is not in alignment with the Constitution. If the Constitution does not permit it, there is no way we will allow it. So, in this case, the Constitution is our guide.”
Also speaking, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Kolapo Alimi, said the state had yet to receive any request from the Muslim community regarding the establishment of Sharia courts.
“We have not received such a request. But I know the Muslim community in the state has an arrangement for Sharia panel sittings. They are not disturbing anyone with it. It has been in existence long before now. If we receive a request for the establishment of Sharia courts, the government will assess it and make a decision that will not affect the peace and harmony the state enjoys. (Punch)
