The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has expressed his support for the proposal to introduce Sharia law in the South-West, emphasizing that the practice has existed in Yoruba communities for many years.
This development followed an Islamic organization’s plan to launch a Sharia council on January 11, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre on Oba Adeyemi High School Road in the Mobolaje area of Oyo, Oyo State. However, the event has been postponed indefinitely due to widespread public criticism.
The announcement attracted backlash from various quarters, with many Nigerians arguing that the Yoruba-majority South-West differs significantly from the northern region, where Islam is the dominant religion.
Drivetvnews report that Oba Akanbi explained that Sharia law is not a new concept in the South-West. He stated, “Sharia-compliant banks already operate in the South-West, adhering to Islamic principles. In Iwo, Sharia law has been in existence for over a century, and there is a Sharia college in the town. Muslims have the right to choose between customary law and the high court.”
He further pointed out that Sharia law addresses specific issues that Muslims face. “Many Muslims feel excluded when it comes to matters like inheritance and divorce because Western legal systems do not fully reflect Islamic principles. Sharia law is enshrined in the Nigerian constitution and is practiced in regions where Muslims reside, including the South-West,” he added.
The monarch clarified that Sharia law applies solely to Muslims and does not interfere with other religions. “Sharia is for Muslims. If anyone else is interested, they can convert to Islam, just as Muslims can choose to convert to Christianity. Everyone has the freedom to practice their faith. Sharia law should not pose a problem for followers of other religions. No government can deny Muslims their fundamental rights,” he concluded.
