Religious Divide Deepens as Sharia Panels Spread in South-West

The spread of Sharia arbitration panels in Nigeria’s South-West has ignited a heated debate between Yoruba nation agitators and some Muslim groups. The latest flashpoint emerged in Ekiti State, where three Islamic adjudicators—Imam Abdullahi Abdul-Mutolib, Imam Abdulraheem Junaid-Bamigbola, and Dr. Ibrahim Aminullahi-Ogunrinde—held the first-ever Sharia panel sitting at Ado-Ekiti Central Mosque, handling two marriage-related disputes.

Ekiti now joins Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Osun as South-West states where Sharia panels operate, leaving Ondo as the only exception. However, the Ekiti State government swiftly distanced itself from any formal Sharia panel, stating that no such entity exists in the state’s judicial structure.

Opposition to the panels has been strong among Yoruba nation agitators and secular Yoruba groups. A coalition of 29 organizations, including trade unions, professional bodies, and student groups, issued a statement rejecting any attempt to introduce Sharia law in Yoruba territory. The groups warned that such moves could destabilize the region and accused proponents of Sharia of being influenced by external forces.

Their opposition is rooted in concerns over Yoruba cultural identity and the implications of religious laws in a historically multi-faith society. The statement emphasized that Yoruba civilization, which has thrived for over 2,000 years, was built on religious tolerance, making the introduction of Sharia an unnecessary and divisive step. Critics also pointed to the economic and social challenges in Northern states that operate Sharia law, arguing that the system has failed to improve governance, reduce poverty, or curb insecurity.

In response, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) dismissed the opposition as misinformation fueled by extremist Christian groups and Yoruba separatists. MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, argued that Sharia panels are not courts but voluntary arbitration committees catering only to Muslims. He accused opponents of religious intolerance and claimed Yoruba Muslims face systemic discrimination in the region.

According to MURIC, these panels have existed for decades, with the first in Lagos dating back to 2003. They function solely to mediate family disputes among Muslims, and no Christian has ever been compelled to appear before them. The group maintained that the panels do not enforce criminal Sharia laws, such as amputations, and accused critics of spreading fear to marginalize Islam in Yorubaland.

The controversy traces back to January, when a Sharia panel in Oyo town postponed its inauguration following public outcry. Yoruba nationalist groups argue that the expansion of Sharia panels could be a stepping stone toward full implementation of Islamic law in the South-West, a claim MURIC vehemently denies.

As tensions rise, both sides remain firm in their positions. Yoruba nationalist groups have vowed to resist any perceived imposition of Sharia in the region, while Muslim organizations continue to advocate for their religious rights.