Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the Nigerian Constitution, stating that it will take precedence over Shariah court amid plans by a group to establish one in the state.
The governor’s stance comes amid reports that the Oyo state chapter of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria had announced plans to establish a Shariah court in the state and its environs.
However, the group later postponed the inauguration of the court indefinitely.
Makinde emphasized that his primary duty is to uphold the Nigerian Constitution, the highest law of the land.
He stressed that although there may be calls for a Shariah court, his government will never allow any actions that breach the provision of secularism enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
The governor stated, “They have brought up the issue of Shariah in Oyo, they demanded the establishment of a Shariah court. I say that people may try, but for me, in Oyo State, our law is the constitution of Nigeria, which is what I swore to uphold. And if they are within the law, fine. But if they are not, they should expect that I will insist the law is being followed.”
