Yoruba leaders reject Sharia law in Southwest Nigeria
A coalition of Yoruba groups and leaders has vehemently opposed the introduction of Sharia law in Yoruba territories, calling it a “grand illusion” and a threat to the region’s longstanding tradition of religious harmony and cultural inclusivity.
In a statement issued by over 30 organizations representing artisans, workers, professionals, students, traders, and self-determination groups across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Edo, and Delta states, the leaders declared Sharia incompatible with Yoruba civilization. They cited the region’s rich history of tolerance and unity despite its religious diversity.
The Yoruba leaders highlighted the region’s nearly 2,000-year tradition of embracing diverse faiths. “Yorubaland has been a haven of religious coexistence where Muslims, Christians, traditional worshippers, and atheists have lived in harmony,” the statement read.
They emphasized that Yoruba culture celebrates free expression and mutual respect, which are foundational to the community’s identity.
While acknowledging Islam’s historical contributions to Yorubaland, the coalition underscored that these advancements—dating back to the 14th century—were achieved within a framework of religious plurality.
“Islam has played a vital role in education, healthcare, and social welfare in Yorubaland,” they noted, referencing historic landmarks such as the first mosque in Oyo-Ile, built in 1550, and the community’s enduring tradition of pilgrimage to Mecca.
The coalition expressed concerns about the implications of introducing Sharia, arguing it would deepen societal divisions and destabilize the region.
“Sharia cannot solve the pressing issues facing Yorubaland, such as poverty, poor governance, and lack of access to healthcare and education,” they argued.
They cited examples of Northern Nigerian states where Sharia has been implemented, claiming these areas are plagued by poverty, corruption, and insecurity.
“Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto states, which operate under Sharia, have some of the highest poverty rates in Nigeria, coupled with widespread violence and instability,” the statement asserted.
The coalition condemned what it described as an attempt by “non-Yoruba collaborators” to impose Sharia on Yorubaland, warning of the potential for intra-ethnic conflict.
“Yoruba families are intertwined across religious lines. It is absurd to consider imposing a theocratic legal system on a society where interfaith marriages and pluralistic practices are common,” they said.
The leaders also alleged that the push for Sharia was politically motivated, aimed at polarizing the region and undermining democracy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
In a show of solidarity, the statement was signed by representatives of various groups, including the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM), O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Federation for Yoruba Consciousness and Culture (FYCC), and South West Women Congress (SWWC), among others.
The leaders pledged to resist any attempt to introduce Sharia law in the Southwest. “We warn religious extremists and their sponsors to desist from their divisive agenda or face the full wrath of the Yoruba people,” the statement concluded.
