Why Introducing Shari’a Will Spark War in Yorubaland – Chief Imam

The Chief Imam of Yorubaland, Sheik Abdulraheem Aduanigba, has strongly opposed the introduction of Shari’a law in the Southwest region of Nigeria, warning that it could ignite conflict due to the region’s religious diversity and cultural history. His remarks come amid ongoing debates over the establishment of a Shari’a court in Oyo State.

In a viral video making rounds on social media, Sheik Aduanigba declared that Shari’a law is incompatible with the Yoruba way of life and could create unnecessary friction among the people. He cited the region’s deep-rooted religious plurality, which includes Christianity, Islam, and traditional belief systems, as a major reason why Shari’a would not be feasible.

“Sharia cannot work in Yorubaland because our general language is Yoruba. When we talk of Yoruba, there are three distinct religions. Our original religion in Yorubaland is a traditional religion before the advent of Christianity. When Christianity came, it gave birth to Islam,” he stated.

According to him, Yorubaland is home to 972 traditional rulers, alongside a population comprising 27 million Christians, 23 million Muslims, and 10 million traditional worshippers. He argued that imposing Shari’a law would disrupt the existing balance and contradict the legal system that has long governed the region.

Highlighting cultural practices, the Chief Imam noted that Yoruba people engage in diverse religious celebrations, including masquerade festivals, Christmas, Easter, Ramadan, and Ileya. He warned that implementing Shari’a law would bring unnecessary restrictions, such as requiring women to cover their heads and prohibiting alcohol, which could lead to societal conflicts.

“Shari’a means women should cover their heads, and we will start quarrelling with women who don’t cover their heads. Those who drink alcoholic drinks, Shari’a will frown at them. Yorubaland can’t allow such a system,” he said.

Sheik Aduanigba further pointed out the economic implications, arguing that states practicing Shari’a in the North indirectly benefit from the revenue generated by businesses outlawed under Islamic law, such as breweries and hotels. He welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform, which would ensure that states receive a fair share of their internally generated revenue.

“The money generated from breweries in Lagos is the money given to the North who practice Shari’a. The internally generated revenue from hotels where there are commercial sex workers is given to the North who cannot allow such things. That’s why I’m happy with the Tax Reform Bill that President Tinubu initiated,” he said.

The cleric also expressed concern over potential social unrest, citing a scenario where a person wearing shorts could be harassed by religious enforcers for violating Shari’a codes. He argued that since Muslims do not dominate the Yoruba population, it would be unfair to impose Islamic law on the entire region.

He also criticized Shari’a inheritance laws, warning that they could disenfranchise children from interfaith families.

“If a father who is a Muslim dies and some of his children have converted to Christians, in Yorubaland, all of them will have access to the inheritance. But if they apply Shari’a, the Shari’a Court will say, since the child has left Islam, he is not entitled to the inheritance of his father who died as a Muslim,” he stated.

The debate over the introduction of Shari’a law in Yorubaland intensified after an Islamic group, the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, Oyo State chapter, announced plans to inaugurate a Shari’a court. Originally scheduled for January 11, 2025, the unveiling has since been postponed indefinitely.

The Chief Imam concluded his remarks with a strong warning: “Shari’a cannot work in Yorubaland if we don’t want to ignite war.”