Several pan-Yoruba groups have united to strongly oppose the potential introduction of Sharia Law in the South-West, describing it as a dangerous move to destabilize the region. The groups emphasized that such a proposal is not suitable for a diverse, multi-religious, and multi-faith society like that of the Yoruba people.
In a joint statement issued on Sunday, representatives from the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM), O’odua Nationalist Coalition, South West Professional Forum, and other groups voiced their concerns. They argued that the idea of enforcing Sharia Law in a region where Muslim parents have Christian or animist children, and Muslim husbands live with Christian wives, was illogical and divisive.
Quote
"The introduction of Sharia is unfeasible and unacceptable in a society where different faiths coexist,"
the groups stated. They pointed out that Sharia is only applicable in states where Islam is either the state religion or the majority faith, which is not the case in the Yoruba-speaking South-West.The groups also highlighted the socio-economic challenges facing the region, including widespread poverty, lack of access to healthcare, high school dropout rates, and the concentration of political and economic power among the elite. They argued that the introduction of Sharia would do nothing to address these pressing issues.
Drawing comparisons to the 12 Northern states that currently implement Sharia, the groups cited the high poverty rates and growing instability in those regions. For instance, Zamfara and Katsina states report poverty rates of 74%, while Sokoto, the heart of the Caliphate, has the highest poverty rate in Nigeria at nearly 80%.
"The introduction of Sharia has led to widespread corruption, violence, and human misery in the North," the groups continued. "It has failed to address economic and social issues, and instead has created an environment of lawlessness and insecurity."
The groups also criticized the selective and biased implementation of Sharia in the North, where the rich escape justice for corruption, while the poor suffer severe punishment for minor offenses.
They accused proponents of Sharia of trying to destabilize Yoruba land with divisive, retrogressive proposals that could lead to intra-Yoruba conflict. They warned that such efforts were politically motivated, aimed at weakening the political unity of the Yoruba Nation and undermining the foundations of democracy under President Bola Tinubu.
In closing, the groups reiterated that Sharia Law would never be accepted in the South-West, stressing that the Yoruba people are bound by shared history, common fears, and aspirations, not by religion.
Quote
"We will not allow anyone to destabilize our region for political gain,"
they concluded.| Posted: at | |
TRENDING GISTS 
“He Got Me Pregnant”: Nigerian Lady Accuses Popular Pastor Of Sexual Misconduct In Viral Video
UK-based Nigerian Woman, Christy Oluwabunmi Oyewole Accuses Ogun Monarch, Oba Adekeye Adeyemi Olanrewaju of Fake Marriage, N195m Fraud
2025 U-20 AFCON: Check Out All 8 Teams That Qualified For Quarter-Finals