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Christian and Muslim leaders in the South-West region of Nigeria are at odds over the planned inauguration of a shari’a arbitration panel across the six South-Western states.
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Proponents of the panel, including the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, argue that it is essential for resolving disputes among Muslims.
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The controversy has brewed concerns about the potential impact on religious harmony and peaceful coexistence in the region.
A contentious debate has erupted in the South-West region of Nigeria, as Muslim leaders push for the establishment of a shari’a arbitration panel, while Christian groups and traditional rulers vehemently oppose the plan.
The President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Ekiti State, Dr. Hammed Bakare, emphasized that the panel is an arbitration that Muslims established for themselves, and not compulsory for all Muslims.
“The panel is an arbitration that we established for ourselves, Muslims, and not even compulsory for all Muslims, only Muslims that are willing to abide by the dictates of Allah as written in the Quran,” Bakare explained.
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Bakare argued that the panel does not violate any law and is guaranteed by the constitution.
“Why should the panel be disbanded? For what? Can you ask somebody to dissolve his marriage or not to worship God the way he likes? It is not lawful for anybody to give such a command,” he queried.
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However, the state Chairman of the Ondo State chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Pastor Joshua Opayinka, countered, “I know no Christian who will ever say shari’a court should come to South-West. We are not in support of it.”
The Organizing Secretary of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere, Abagun Kole Omololu, stated, “What Yoruba wants is not religious bigotry… Introducing religious law into our family will encroach into our traditional family setting.”
The National Missioner and Chief Imam of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheik Abdulrahman Ahmad, noted, “There is a provision in the Nigerian Constitution for Muslims to have shari’a court if they want. It is a constitutional matter.”
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