Tensions have flared between Christian and Muslim leaders in the South-Western states of Nigeria—Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, and Lagos—over the planned inauguration of a Shari’a arbitration panel by the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA). The proposed panel, meant to handle disputes among Muslims, has sparked a heated debate about religious harmony, secularism, and constitutional rights in the region.
Proponents of the Shari’a arbitration panel argue that its establishment is within their constitutional rights as it caters solely to Muslims who voluntarily choose to resolve disputes based on Islamic principles. The President of the SCIA in Ekiti State, Dr. Hammed Bakare, and the Chairman of the Shari’a Committee of Oyoland, Dr. Rafiu Bello, both defended the initiative in separate interviews, stating that the panel would go ahead despite opposition.
Dr. Bakare emphasized that the arbitration panel is not a court but an extension of Islamic religious practice aimed at fostering peace and resolving conflicts within the Muslim Ummah. “It is not lawful for anyone to ask us to disband the panel,” he said. “The constitution guarantees freedom of worship, and this arbitration panel is part of our faith.”
Dr. Bello echoed these sentiments, explaining that similar panels already exist in various parts of the South-West, including Lagos, Oyo, and Osun States. According to him, the panel will focus on issues like inheritance disputes, marital conflicts, and disagreements among Muslims, providing guidance based on the Quran without imposing penalties.
However, the initiative has been met with stiff resistance from some state governments, traditional rulers, and Christian leaders, who view it as a potential threat to secularism and unity in the region. The Ekiti State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Dayo Apata (SAN), declared that the state’s legal framework does not recognize Shari’a courts or arbitration panels. Similarly, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, ordered the dissolution of the panel in his domain, citing concerns over peaceful coexistence and the rule of law.
Christian leaders have also voiced strong opposition. Pastor Joshua Opayinka, Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Ondo State, called the move “an aberration,” arguing that it could only be justified in regions where Muslims are in the majority. “Why Shari’a court in the South-West?” he asked. “If Christians are not allowed full freedom of worship in the North, why should such an initiative be accepted here?”
Cultural groups and traditional institutions have also weighed in. The Yoruba Cultural Renaissance Advocates (YCRA) commended the Ewi of Ado Ekiti for his stance, describing the panel as a potential disruption to the region’s cultural harmony. The YCRA President, Ifabunmi Esuremilekun, stressed that the Yoruba people prioritize unity over religious division and expressed concerns about how such panels would handle disputes in families with mixed religious affiliations.
Despite the backlash, the SCIA remains resolute. Leaders argue that the panels are necessary for maintaining peace within the Muslim community and are not intended to impose Shari’a law on non-Muslims. Dr. Bello clarified that the panels are voluntary and function as independent arbitration bodies that do not require legislative approval.
Meanwhile, calls for dialogue have grown louder. Advocates for peace suggest a roundtable discussion involving all stakeholders to address concerns and ensure that any initiative respects the region’s secular nature while upholding constitutional rights.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the Shari’a arbitration panels will gain acceptance or face more resistance in the culturally diverse South-West region.
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