The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, alongside his group, Yoruba One Voice (YOV), has strongly opposed the proposal to introduce Sharia law in the South-West region of Nigeria. According to them, such a move could destabilize the region and worsen the country’s already delicate unity.
This warning came after YOV’s international virtual conference themed “Sharia Law in Yorubaland: Setting Things Straight through Restructuring.” The event brought together prominent Yoruba figures, stakeholders, and members of the Yoruba diaspora. Gani Adams, the convener of the group, presided over the conference.
In a communique issued at the end of the event, participants emphasized that the only path to peaceful coexistence and meaningful development in Nigeria is through regional autonomy and full restructuring. They cautioned that if the Nigerian government continues to ignore calls for true federalism, Yoruba people may have no choice but to pursue full political independence.
Adams expressed concern that the attempt to implement Sharia in the Yoruba region was a political tactic aimed at weaponizing religion. He noted that it could trigger unrest and promote extremist ideologies in the South-West.
“Sharia law will not boost our economy, politics, or culture,” Adams said. “Instead, it could destroy the peace we currently enjoy, drive our youth into violence, and create conflicts like those experienced in other parts of the country.”
The conference also made several key recommendations, including a call for constitutional reforms that would give more power to local governments, reduce the weight on the federal government, and improve grassroots governance.
The group insisted that any form of religious court system must be voluntary, civil, and in line with human rights laws.
Keynote speaker Prof. Oluwafemi Obayori acknowledged that Islamic law had historical roots in areas like Ilorin, but warned that current efforts to institutionalize Sharia were more political than spiritual. He added that such moves could threaten Yoruba culture and national harmony by suppressing traditional practices like Isese and marginalizing cultural identity.
Similarly, Prof. Kolawole Raheem, YOV’s technical adviser, said that while Yoruba Muslims are entitled to faith-based conflict resolution, it must never undermine Nigeria’s secular legal system or violate others’ rights. He warned that implementing Sharia in the South-West could lead to discrimination similar to what non-Muslims face in northern states since 1999.
YOV’s Secretary General, Prince Adedokun Ademiluyi, called for collaboration with other ethnic groups in the Middle Belt and South-South to push for constitutional reform and regional autonomy. He also stressed the need to boost local security and community policing to prevent exploitation under the pretense of religious law enforcement.
The conference closed with a strong message of peaceful resistance against rising religious extremism in Nigeria’s culturally diverse and secular society.
Among the notable participants were Akogun Olakanye Franklin, Iyalode Abike Ade, Chief Mark Oyetunde, Ms Modupe Sodimu, Yeyeluwa Alice Eniola, Yeye Oge Tina Atinuke, Chief Gani Wahab, Prince Adedapo Adesanmi, and Princess Adenike Olotu.
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