KEY POINTS
- Sharia court plans spark adherence to Nigerian law, governor Makinde says.
- In Oyo, planned inauguration of Sharia court postponed indefinitely.
- The governor reiterates his commitment to constitutional governance in Oyo State.
Seyi Makinde, Oyo State Governor has reiterated his resolve to maintain the Nigerian Constitution despite claims of setting up a Sharia court in Oyo Town.
In a video posted Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Olorundare Olamide, Makinde had stressed that any initiative, including a proposed Sharia court, must within the confines of Nigerian law.
Previously, they raised the issue of Sharia, which they wanted in Oyo and want a Sharia court sited in Oyo.
Makinde said people may try to oppress, but as far as Oyo State is concerned, our law is the constitution of Nigeria, which I swore to uphold.”
Uncertainty over event due to legal difficulties
Earlier in the month, the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (Oyo Branch) had circulated an invitation for the inauguration of a Sharia court, to be inaugurated on January 11, 2025 at Muslim Community Islamic Centre in Oyo Town. But it has now been postponed indefinitely.
The council said in a statement: ‘On behalf of Oyo Muslim indigenes, we hereby inform the general public that the scheduled inauguration ceremony has been suspended until further notice.’ Islam portrays peace!”
Makinde welcomed the postponement, warning anything other than within Nigeria’s legal framework won’t be tolerated. “If they’re not breaking the law, I don’t care.” And if they’re not, they should expect I will insist the law is followed, he added.
The governor’s response has aroused hot discussion on religious coexistence and the law’s place in the accommodation of cultural and religious diversity in Nigeria.
