Yoruba One Voice (YOV), a Yoruba self-determination group led by the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has strongly opposed the push to introduce Sharia law in the South-West, warning that it could destabilize the region and threaten Nigeria's fragile pluralism.
This position was outlined in a communique issued at the conclusion of YOV’s international virtual conference, themed "Sharia Law in Yorubaland: Setting Things Straight through Restructuring."
Presided over by Adams, who serves as YOV Convener, the conference brought together members of the YOV Global Coordinating Council, the General Assembly, critical stakeholders, and prominent Yoruba individuals from around the world.
The communique emphasized that regional autonomy and restructuring are essential for peaceful coexistence and sustainable development in Nigeria. It was agreed that if the political elite continues resisting calls for true federalism, the Yoruba people might have no choice but to pursue full political independence.
In his remarks, Adams condemned attempts to implement Sharia law in Yoruba territory, calling it a political strategy to "weaponize religion." He warned that this could ignite unrest and promote extremist ideologies in the region. "Introducing Sharia law will not improve our economic, political, or cultural fortunes," Adams said. "Instead, it could disrupt our peace, incite violence among our youth, and lead to crises similar to those in other parts of the country."
The conference also made several recommendations, including calls for constitutional amendments to decentralize control over local governance and economic resources, reduce the federal burden, and empower grassroots governance. The communique stressed that any religious court system should remain voluntary, civil, and compliant with human rights laws.
In the keynote address, Prof. Oluwafemi Obayori acknowledged the historical presence of Islamic law in parts of Yorubaland, such as Ilorin. However, he warned that recent attempts to institutionalize political Sharia in the region represented a "cultural offensive" rather than a spiritual revival. He cautioned that the unregulated spread of Sharia panels and the marginalization of indigenous festivals like Isese posed a significant risk to both cultural identity and national unity.
Prof. Kolawole Raheem, YOV’s technical adviser, supported this view, asserting that while Yoruba Muslims have a right to faith-based dispute resolution, such systems should not override Nigeria’s secular legal framework or infringe on the rights of others. He also pointed out that in northern states where political Sharia has been practiced since 1999, non-Muslims often face systemic discrimination, a situation that must not be replicated in the South-West.
YOV Secretary General, Prince Adedokun Ademiluyi, called for alliances with other ethnic groups pushing for restructuring, particularly those in the Middle Belt and South-South, to present a united front for regional autonomy and constitutional reforms. He also emphasized the need to strengthen regional security and community policing efforts to prevent religious extremism.
The conference ended with a renewed call for peaceful resistance against the encroachment of religious extremism in Nigeria’s culturally pluralistic and constitutionally secular society.
Notable attendees included Akogun Olakanye Franklin, Iyalode Abike Ade, Chief Mark Oyetunde, Ms. Modupe Sodimu, Yeyeluwa Alice Eniola, Yeye Oge Tina Atinuke, Chief Gani Wahab, Prince Adedapo Adesanmi, and Princess Adenike Olotu, among others.
