The Oluwo of Iwo, Osun State, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has backed the introduction of Sharia law in the South-West, emphasizing its historical presence in the region.
His comments follow an Islamic group’s planned inauguration of a Sharia council initially scheduled for January 11, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre in Oyo, Oyo State.
However, the event was indefinitely postponed due to widespread public backlash.
The proposal has sparked heated debates, with critics highlighting the South-West’s cultural and religious diversity as distinct from the predominantly Muslim North.
According to The PUNCH, Oba Akanbi clarified that Sharia law has long been part of Yoruba culture.
“We already have Sharia banks operating in the South-West under Sharia principles. In Iwo, Sharia law has existed for over a century, and there’s even a Sharia college in the town,” he said.
The monarch also pointed out that Nigerian Muslims have a constitutional right to opt for Sharia courts for personal matters such as inheritance, marriage, and divorce.
According to him, “Many Muslims feel excluded when it comes to issues like inheritance and divorce because Western legal systems do not align with Islamic principles. Sharia law is a constitutional right in Nigeria, and it exists wherever there are Muslims.”
Oba Akanbi stressed that Sharia law applies exclusively to Muslims and does not infringe on the rights of adherents of other religions.
“Sharia law is not for everyone; it’s strictly for Muslims. Others should not feel threatened by it. Conversion is a personal choice—Muslims can embrace Christianity, and Christians can choose Islam. No government can strip Muslims of their fundamental rights,” he remarked.
