Daud Olatunji
In a bold move, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has confronted the state governors in the Southwest over their intolerant stance towards Muslims in the southern region of Nigeria.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) had ordered the cessation of Shariah Panels in their states.
The NSCIA, in a press release issued from its headquarters in Abuja, titled “Live And Let Live!” dated January 29, 2025, a copy obtained by PLATFORM TIMES, condemned what it describes as the intolerant stance towards Muslims in the southern region of Nigeria.
PLATFORM TIMES further reports that this condemnation comes in the wake of contentious actions against the establishment of an Independent Shariah Arbitration Panel in Ekiti State and the postponement of a similar initiative in Oyo State.
The NSCIA expressed deep concern over what it perceives as discriminatory practices against Muslims, particularly in matters of religious and civil rights.
The Sultan highlighted recent events where efforts by the Muslim community to establish local Shariah panels were met with resistance from political and traditional leaders alike.
The press release emphasized the constitutional backing for such initiatives, citing Section 275 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provides for the establishment of Shariah courts alongside customary and other legal frameworks.
The Sultan pointed out that these Shariah panels serve as voluntary platforms aimed at resolving civil and marital disputes among consenting Muslims, filling a crucial gap left by the absence of formal Shariah courts in the Southwest despite a significant Muslim population.
“This unwarranted resistance to the establishment of Shariah panels is not only a violation of constitutional rights but also undermines the principle of religious freedom guaranteed by our nation’s laws,” stated His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
The NSCIA reiterated its commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence and the protection of religious liberties for all Nigerians.
The statement is hereby produced below “the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) -under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni is particularly disturbed about the high spate of intolerance and disregard for the rights of Muslims, especially in the southern part of the country.
“ The most recent of this is the development emanating from Ekiti state where the efforts of the Muslim community to set up an Independent Shariah (Arbitration) Panel was met with unwarranted resistance and objections from both political and traditional quarters.
“This is coming barely few weeks after the announcement on the inauguration of a Shariah panel in Oyo State generated unnecessary anxiety thereby leading to its indefinite postponement.
“The Independent Arbitration Panel, which is a voluntary platform designed solely for the resolution of civil and marital disputes among consenting Muslims, was to fill the inexplicable vacuum created by the failure of the political elite in South-Western Nigeria to establish Shariah Courts, as allowed by the Nigerian Constitution, in South-Western states, despite the huge population of Muslims in the region.
“This and other cases, such as the denial of the rights of female students to wear the Hijab despite a Supreme Court judgement, are nothing but calculated attempts to prevent Muslims in the region from practicing their faith.
“Meanwhile, Arbitration and the Shariah Court of Appeal, just like the Customary Court of Appeal (which all of them have) are provided for in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (see section 275), confirming the legality of both initiatives.”
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