Why there’s opposition to Sharia panel in Yorubaland  – Ex-Buhari’s Minister, Shittu

Former Minister of Communications under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Adebayo Shittu, has weighed in on the ongoing debate regarding the proposed Sharia panel in the South-West, attributing the resistance to a lack of understanding.

The planned establishment of a Sharia panel in Oyo State and other parts of Yorubaland has sparked controversy. In Ekiti, where the panel was introduced, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, summoned the Chief Imam of Ado Ekiti, Shaykh Jamiu Kewulere, and directed that the panel be disbanded.

Some Yoruba activists have also voiced opposition, arguing that the Yoruba people uphold a secular tradition. They contend that states practicing Sharia law have become “theatres of war, strife, killings, and kidnapping driven by crises of faith,” while also noting that such states experience high levels of instability.

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However, Muslim leaders defend the initiative, clarifying that the proposed panels are simply arbitration bodies handling civil matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance among Muslims.

Addressing the controversy in a television interview, Shittu maintained that opposition to the panels is rooted in ignorance. He noted that similar panels have existed in some states for over a decade, resolving civil disputes among Muslims.

He stated, “In Yorubaland, whether governors or the so-called Yoruba activists, their problem is ignorance of the constitution of Nigeria.

“Sharia is about fundamental human rights in relation to religion. The constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

“What is the sense of two Muslims going to get married in the mosque under Sharia Law, when they want to divorce, you ask them to go to a Customary Court which may be completely made up of even Christians, animists, or people who do not understand the law under which these people got married?

“Common sense dictates that the law under which you married should be the one to be used in deciding on your divorce. In Oyo State, there has been a Sharia Panel, and in Lagos State for more than 10 years. What crisis has it caused to anybody? Has any Christian or non-Muslim been drafted to a Sharia Court?”

Shittu further argued that religious rights are constitutionally guaranteed, adding that people should have the freedom to manage their affairs under the legal framework they choose.

“These constitutional fundamental religious rights are inherent in you as a human being whether in Ekiti or anywhere. People have a right to determine under which law they manage their affairs. I expect the Muslim community in those states would take the government or people trying to disturb their peace to court.”