Prominent Yoruba self-determination group, Yoruba One Voice (YOV), has strongly rejected the move, warning that such a development could destabilize the region and threaten Nigeria’s already fragile pluralism. The group, led by the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, issued this position following a virtual international conference themed, “Sharia Law in Yorubaland: Setting Things Straight through Restructuring.”
The communique from the conference, which was held at the conclusion of the global gathering of key Yoruba stakeholders, highlighted growing concerns over the potential impact of Sharia law on the region’s peace and unity. The conference, presided over by Adams, included members of the YOV Global Coordinating Council, the General Assembly, and other prominent Yoruba figures from across the diaspora. The participants unanimously agreed that any push for Sharia law in the South-West is detrimental to the region’s stability and that regional autonomy and restructuring are the only viable solutions to ensure peace and progress in Nigeria.
YOV’s strong position came at a time when the call for restructuring Nigeria’s political system has become increasingly loud. The conference emphasized that if the political class continues to resist demands for true federalism, the Yoruba people may have no choice but to pursue full political independence. According to the communique, Nigeria’s diversity, both ethnically and religiously, makes it imperative for the country to embrace true federalism that allows regions to govern themselves in a way that best serves their unique interests.
Adams, during his address at the conference, condemned the introduction of Sharia law in the Yoruba region, describing it as a dangerous attempt to “weaponize religion” for political gain. He warned that such a move could lead to increased unrest, fostering extremism in the region, and that it could eventually spark crises similar to those seen in other parts of the country.
“Introducing Sharia law will not improve our economic, political, or cultural fortunes. It will shatter the peace of our land, push our youth toward violence, and ignite conflicts like those happening elsewhere in the country,” Adams said.
The proposed establishment of Sharia law panels in the South-West, particularly in areas with significant Muslim populations, has raised concerns among many Yoruba leaders. The introduction of Sharia courts, especially those with binding legal authority, is seen by many as an encroachment on the region’s secular constitution and diverse cultural traditions.
While acknowledging that parts of Yorubaland, such as Ilorin, have had a history of Islamic influence and practice of Islamic law, Professor Oluwafemi Obayori, who delivered the keynote lecture at the conference, emphasized that the current attempts to institutionalize Sharia in the South-West were not a cultural revival but rather a political offensive. He argued that the introduction of political Sharia law would not only undermine the region’s traditional practices but could also marginalize indigenous Yoruba religious festivals such as Isese, which are central to the Yoruba cultural identity.
“The unregulated spread of Sharia panels is a direct challenge to the very essence of our culture. The suppression of traditional religious practices and the imposition of a religious court system that overrides our local traditions is an affront to our identity,” Professor Obayori stated.
In line with Professor Obayori’s sentiments, Professor Kolawole Raheem, a technical adviser to YOV, expressed concerns over the legal implications of introducing Sharia law into the South-West. He noted that while Yoruba Muslims should have the right to faith-based dispute resolution systems, these should not override Nigeria’s secular legal framework or infringe upon the rights of non-Muslims in the region.
Raheem cited the experience of northern Nigeria, where political Sharia has been implemented since 1999. He highlighted that non-Muslims in these states have often faced systemic discrimination, and he warned that this must not be allowed to happen in the South-West. He stressed that the implementation of Sharia law in the region would likely lead to social division and further tensions between different religious and ethnic groups.
“This is not just a religious issue; it is a legal and cultural one. We must ensure that any legal system we implement does not infringe on the rights of others or destabilize the peace we’ve worked so hard to maintain,” Raheem argued.
In addition to their opposition to Sharia law, the participants of the YOV conference also emphasized the importance of strengthening regional autonomy and decentralizing control over local governance and economic resources. They argued that this would not only reduce the financial burden on the federal government but would also empower grassroots governance, making it easier for the people to address their own concerns and needs.
YOV’s Secretary General, Prince Adedokun Ademiluyi, called for greater alliances between the South-West and other ethnic nationalities, particularly those in the Middle Belt and South-South regions, that are also pushing for restructuring. He stressed the importance of building a united front for regional autonomy and constitutional reforms, which he believed would benefit all ethnic groups in Nigeria.
“It is time for the Yoruba to work with other ethnic groups to push for a Nigeria that respects the diversity of its people,” Ademiluyi said. “We must build a united front to ensure that we have a political system that serves all Nigerians equally.”
Another significant point raised during the conference was the need to strengthen regional security architecture and community policing efforts. YOV members warned that the rise of religious extremism, under the guise of Sharia law enforcement, could lead to increased insecurity and instability in the region. They called for stronger measures to guard against infiltration by extremists and to protect the region’s cultural and religious diversity.
The conference ended with a renewed call for peaceful resistance against the “creeping encroachment of religious extremism” in Nigeria, which it said posed a direct threat to the country’s pluralistic and secular values. The participants made it clear that they would continue to fight for a Nigeria where all people, regardless of their religious or ethnic background, can live in harmony.
