- State Government Insists on Legal Compliance Amid Controversy
- Organisers Clarify: Proposed Panel Is for Voluntary Arbitration
Plans to inaugurate a Sharia arbitration panel in Oyo town have been indefinitely postponed following widespread public outcry. The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (Oyo branch) announced the suspension on Tuesday, citing the need to maintain peace and unity.
The event, originally scheduled for January 11, 2025, was set to hold at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre in Mobolaje, Oyo, and was expected to attract prominent figures, including the Basorun of Oyo Land, High Chief Yusuf Akinade Olayinka, and the Aare Musulumi of Oyo Land, Alhaji Chief Tajudeen Abdul-Hammed Kamorise.
However, the announcement sparked heated debates on social media and within the state. Critics argued that establishing a Sharia court could undermine the state’s religious harmony.
Governor Seyi Makinde addressed the controversy in a broadcast, stating, “People may try, but for us, I swore to uphold our laws and the Constitution of Nigeria. If their actions are within the law, fine, if not, they should expect that I will insist the law must be followed.”
In response to the backlash, Khadimul Muslimeen of Oyo Kingdom, Imam Daud Igi Ogun, released a statement explaining the decision to postpone the event indefinitely. “Islam portrays peace,” he said, emphasizing the group’s commitment to coexistence.
Meanwhile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ahmed Raji clarified that the proposed structure was not a judicial Sharia court but an arbitration panel for Muslims seeking voluntary dispute resolution.
“The panel is for resolving matters between consenting Muslims and does not have judicial authority or punitive measures. No court can be established without government approval,” Raji stated in an interview.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Oyo State condemned the initiative. Chairman Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju described it as unconstitutional and a potential threat to the state’s secular framework. “We won’t allow anything that jeopardizes the peaceful coexistence we enjoy,” he said.
The state government, through the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, reiterated its commitment to the rule of law. “Oyo State will not permit anything illegal. The focus isn’t about wanting Sharia or not but ensuring that any structure aligns with the legal system we operate,” he said.
The indefinite postponement underscores the delicate balance required to maintain peace in a diverse society like Oyo State.
