Nigerians Condemn Controversial Plan For Sharia Law In Oyo State

Following reports of a scheduled inauguration of the Sharia Court in Oyo State on January 11, 2025, Nigerians have collectively voiced their displeasure over the now-postponed controversial event.

The backlash and subsequent postponement of the inauguration was fueled by angry reactions to a viral tweet from X user @A_QowiyyBadmus days ago.

“Since the Southwest states have left Muslims without any trial court of competent jurisdiction on their matters, despite S. 275 (1) of the 1999 CFRN allowing every state to have one, Muslims have resorted to ISPs. Oyo Alaafin is launching its own in January.”

This planned ceremony did not go down well with Nigerians, who took to social media to share their concerns over the notorious Islamic religious law. 

“We must resist it. Nigeria is a secular country with its laws and constitution; parallel laws can’t govern it. Those who want Shari’a law and court can move to Afghanistan.” – @DatNaijaGuy1

“Sharia law is only for the poor and not the elites and politicians. It will not work in the southwest.” – @temyj4real

“The [planned] introduction of Sharia law in the Southwest, particularly in Oyo State, raises important questions, especially considering that Nigeria already has a sovereign constitution that governs all its citizens.” – @Deus_x_Machina2

“Once you hear ‘sharia law’, Just run for your life. They will use it to kill, imprison, cut off people’s limbs, torture and institutionalise oppression. And guess who the biggest victims will be? The poor and the less privileged. You better lend your voice to say no.” – @OurFavOnlineDoc

“First, they introduce Sharia; next thing, the Hisbah police. When they pick you up with your babe as you leave Quilox during Ramadam, your eyes will clear.” – @RobinaxOg

“The North has produced the most corrupt politicians in Nigeria’s history. Sharia Courts/Laws, according to them, are meant to address issues concerning stealing & immortality. Yet none of their politicians has been taken to the Sharia Courts for trials.” – @humphramania

“The Zamfara governor who introduced Sharia in 2000 had people’s arms cut off for stealing chickens but went ahead to steal billions from the state’s treasury. He left office in 2007 and immediately joined the Senate. His EFCC file is still open. Sharia isn’t for the rich.” – @IruefiNG

“If Ganduje is a free man despite being caught on video taking bribe in dollars and stealing state funds, yet his two hands are still intact, then sharia law and administrators are hypocritical and only meant for the poor” – @Oluwatoyinzoe

“We have on video a Kano State governor pumping stolen money into his agbada. He was not impeached. He was not jailed. He was not arrested. Hisbah police did nothing. Sharia law looked away. But a poor, hungry man will have his arms cut off for stealing food.” – @OurFavOnlineDoc

“The former Governor of Yobe state, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, was caught in a hotel room with three women who were not his wives; till today, nothing happened. He was never arraigned before any Shari’a Court.” – @Constan02592105

Other notable figures who opposed the planned ceremony included the Yoruba Nation Youths and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

Following public outrage, the Islamic group has, in a statement tagged “Notice of Postponement”, revealed the indefinite postponement of the inauguration.

“On behalf of the Oyo Muslim indigenes, this is to inform the general public that the inauguration ceremony of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (Oyo branch) previously scheduled for January 11, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre, Oba Adeyemi High School Road, Mobolaje Area, Agbongangan, Oyo, has been suspended until further notice. Islam portrays peace.”

However, the council described the postponement as being due to the erroneous titling of the programme as “Shariah Court” rather than “Shariah Independent Arbitration Panel”.

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