The Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has called on leaders in the South-West geopolitical zone to support the establishment of Sharia panels across the region, emphasizing that such panels would contribute to sustainable peace.
Oloyede, who also serves as the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), made this call during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political program aired on Channels Television.
He argued that the Sharia panels, which are committees of Islamic scholars designated to settle marriage and inheritance disputes, would strengthen peace and promote better social cohesion in the South-West.
According to the NSCIA Secretary-General, the move would not be detrimental to the region’s existing harmony.
“For sustainable peace, there is nothing wrong with Muslims having Sharia courts in the South-West,” he said, urging Nigerian leaders to reconsider their stance on the matter.
Recent discussions surrounding the establishment of Sharia panels in South-Western states such as Ogun and Oyo have sparked considerable opposition.
Both traditional institutions and the Christian community have voiced their concerns, with state governments in Ogun and Oyo rejecting the proposal.
However, despite these objections, the Muslim community, supported by the NSCIA and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has continued to advocate for the panels, seeing them as a much-needed alternative dispute resolution mechanism for Muslims.
Oloyede dismissed the controversy, asserting that the proposal was not a new one.
He noted that the concept of Sharia panels has been in existence for years, citing a 2007 PhD thesis by Prof. Makinde of Ibadan University, which discussed the matter.
Oloyede pointed out that the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, shares the same surname, though he could not confirm any familial relation.
The former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin expressed concern over the growing tension surrounding the issue, warning that it was based on “ignorance.”
He argued that the South-West has long been a region where Muslims, Christians, and traditional institutions coexist peacefully, and he cautioned against creating unnecessary divisions over the matter.
Oloyede also highlighted the psychological toll that South-Western Muslims bear as a result of the region’s religious harmony.
He emphasized that while churches are government-licensed to conduct statutory marriages, Muslims who marry according to Islamic rites often face difficulties in resolving marital disputes, as they are compelled to seek resolution in customary courts, which may not be equipped to address issues related to Islamic law.
He further pointed out that the Nigerian Constitution allows for the establishment of Sharia Courts of Appeal in regions where state assemblies permit them.
Sharia Court of Appeal systems already exist in various parts of the country, particularly in the northern region, and Oloyede argued that the South-West should not be an exception.
The NSCIA Secretary-General also responded to critics of the Sultan of Sokoto, who has been vocal in advocating for the Sharia panels.
Oloyede stressed that Muslims across Nigeria practice the same Islam and should be afforded the same rights and opportunities.
“We should be able to tolerate one another,” he stated, urging Nigerians to focus on mutual respect and understanding.
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