A Yoruba youth group has voiced strong opposition to plans to introduce Sharia law or establish Sharia courts in the Southwestern region of Nigeria. This follows reports of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (Oyo State Chapter) planning to inaugurate a Sharia court in Oyo town on January 11, 2025.
The event is scheduled to take place at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre, located on Oba Adeyemi High School Road in Mobolaje area, Agbogangan, Oyo.
The group’s position was articulated in a joint statement issued by the Yoruba National Youth Leader (Diaspora), Ayodele Ologunloluwa, and the home leader, Oyegunle Omotoyole. In the statement, the group stressed that Sharia law is incompatible with Yoruba culture, values, and way of life. They emphasized their resolve to protect Yoruba ancestral land and cultural identity from any form of destabilization, including efforts to impose Sharia law in the region.
The statement read: “We will resist any move to introduce Sharia law or establish Sharia courts in Yorubaland. Yoruba culture and traditions are distinct, and any attempt to impose foreign laws will be met with fierce opposition.” The group described the proposal as “laughable” and made it clear that they would organize resistance should the plan proceed.
The youth group further warned the Nigerian government against fostering divisions within Yorubaland, asserting that their focus remains on the self-determination of the Yoruba Nation. They declared that they would not allow any external influence to derail this objective. The group also urged Yoruba citizens to stay alert and ready to defend their land against any form of external imposition.
The statement referenced the famous words of Yoruba leader Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who is quoted as saying, “Instead of a Yorubaman prostrating for a Hausa-Fulani, it is better to take courage and die.” The group demanded the immediate withdrawal of the plans and called on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, South-West governors, Yoruba monarchs, senators, and other leaders to reject the proposal and protect Yoruba cultural heritage.
They stressed, “We will not allow any attempt to disrupt the peace of Yorubaland under the guise of religious imposition.” The group also pointed out that the introduction of Sharia law would undermine the faith, values, and identity of the region, further reaffirming their rejection of any effort to entrench practices that do not align with Yoruba traditions.
In closing, the Yoruba Nation Youths reaffirmed their commitment to the establishment of an independent Yoruba Nation, free from oppression. They boldly declared, “No force on earth or in hell can stop the rise of a sovereign Yoruba state.”
