A group known as the Society for Yoruba Culture Renaissance has vehemently rejected the establishment of Sharia panels in Oyo, Ekiti, and other southwestern states.
According to the group, Sharia law is to Yoruba society and has the potential to disrupt the peaceful coexistence among people of different religious beliefs.
The group’s rejection comes after the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) argued that the Sharia panel initiative is legal and provided for in the 1999 Constitution.
However, the Society for Yoruba Culture Renaissance emphasized that Sharia law is an Arabic cultural practice suitable for societies with a dominant Muslim population, which is not the case in Yorubaland.
The group accused the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, of attempting to incite a religious crisis in southwestern Nigeria by advocating for the implementation of Sharia law in the region.
They stated that Yorubaland has a rich history of traditional values, culture, and language that they hold dear, and that the imposition of Sharia law would be a disruption to their way of life.
The Society for Yoruba Culture Renaissance emphasized that Yoruba people will settle their internal issues independently and focus on addressing the myriads of issues affecting their communities.
They also pointed out that the Sharia law practiced in the north has not added value to the society but has exacerbated the suffering of the people.
In conclusion, the group stated, “Keep Sharia law in Sokoto and other Northern states. Yorubaland will maintain its peaceful nature and uphold its cultural values.”
