A prominent Yoruba socio-cultural group, Omo Oduduwa Movement, has responded strongly to recent comments made by the Sultan of Sokoto advocating for the continued application of Sharia law in the Northern states of Nigeria. The group asserts that while Sharia law may be rooted in the cultural and religious practices of the North, its implementation in other regions such as the South West, particularly among the Yoruba, is completely foreign and incompatible with the existing social and legal frameworks.
In a statement issued by the group’s spokesperson, Chief Adebayo Olatunji, the Yoruba community expressed deep concern over the negative impacts Sharia law has had in regions where it has been enforced. “It is important to acknowledge the severe consequences Sharia law has had in places like Sokoto, where it has exacerbated suffering, limited freedoms, and stifled the overall progress of the region,” Olatunji said. “The people of the South, especially the Yoruba, have no intention of adopting a system that is alien to their traditional values of tolerance, justice, and inclusivity.”
The group highlighted that the imposition of Sharia law in non-Islamic-majority regions such as the South West, where Yoruba society thrives on a foundation of diverse religious beliefs and practices, would be a step backward. “Our society is built on mutual respect for different faiths, including Islam, Christianity, and traditional African religions