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.
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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.”
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.”
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