The Yoruba Council Worldwide (YCW), the leading global body representing Yoruba people, has condemned the planned inauguration of a Sharia Court in Oyo Town, Oyo State. The council described the move as a violation of Nigerian laws and an affront to Yoruba cultural heritage.
In a letter dated December 23, 2024, addressed to Sheikh AbdulRasheed Hadiyatullah, President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, The YCW expressed strong opposition to the event, which is scheduled to take place on January 11, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre in Oyo.
The council in that letter signed by its president, Aare Oladotun Hassan argued that such a development poses a threat to peaceful coexistence and could destabilize the region.
The Yoruba Council Worldwide highlighted the rich cultural and religious diversity of Yoruba communities, where Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers have coexisted peacefully for generations. The council warned that introducing Sharia law into Oyo Town, the seat of the Alaafin of Oyo and a vital Yoruba cultural hub, could disrupt this harmony and lead to heightened tensions.
Citing historical resistance by the old Oyo Empire to Islamic invasions, the council expressed concerns that the proposed Sharia Court represents a symbolic threat to Yoruba sovereignty and traditions. They also pointed to the reported human rights violations in Northern Nigeria’s Sharia states, including harsh punishments and restrictions on civil liberties, as a cause for alarm.
The council also described the planned inauguration as provocative and capable of inciting unrest in Yoruba land. They emphasized that Yoruba culture is distinct and must be preserved, warning that any attempt to impose alien laws on the region would be met with determined resistance.
In their statement, YCW called for the immediate cancellation of the event and urged prominent Yoruba leaders, including the Ooni of Ife, and national figures such as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to intervene. The council also called on security agencies, including the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force, to prevent any escalation of tensions.
YCW therefore reiterated its commitment to using legal means to challenge the move and protect Yoruba ancestral lands.
They appealed to Yoruba Muslims to respect the council’s stance and work towards maintaining the region’s cultural integrity and peaceful coexistence.
The council concluded by urging all stakeholders to prioritize unity and justice, warning that any attempt to introduce Sharia law in Oyo State or other parts of Yoruba land could have far-reaching consequences for peace and stability.
