Oyo State’s Governor Seyi Makinde has reacted to plans for the creation of a Sharia Court in the area.
He said if it was against the Constitution then it would not stand.
In a video, the Governor addressed concerns about plans to set up a Sharia court in Oyo Town, promising to respect the law and follow the Nigerian Constitution.
The video shared on X on Tuesday by Olorundare Olamide, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor, showed Makinde emphasising that while individuals or groups may advocate for initiatives like the Sharia Court, such actions must adhere to the law.
The Oyo State chapter of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria plans to establish a Shariah court in the state and surrounding areas.
A flier widely circulated from the group had this week invited people to the inauguration of a Shariah court scheduled for January 11, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre in Oyo town, but the event has now been postponed indefinitely.
The statement read, “On behalf of the Oyo Muslim indigenes, this is to inform the general public that the inauguration ceremony of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (Oyo branch) previously scheduled for January 11th, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre, Oba Adeyemi High School Road, Mobolaje Area, Agbongangan, Oyo, has been suspended until further notice. Islam portrays peace!”
However, Makinde vowed to make sure the Nigerian Constitution was fully upheld in this matter.
He said, “They have brought up the issue of Sharia in Oyo, they demanded the establishment of a Shariah court. I say that people may try but for me, in Oyo State, our law is the Constitution of Nigeria, which is what I swore to uphold.
“And if they are within the law, fine. But if they are not, they should expect that I will insist the law is being followed.”
