Sharia is Incompatible with South West of Nigeria

By Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies
(Former Presidential Candidate, 2019)

The implementation of Sharia law in South West Nigeria is a highly contentious issue that has sparked intense debate and discussion of recent in Nigeria; and may I posit that, “Sharia is incompatible with the religious, cultural, social, and political context of South West, Nigeria.” The truth and fact is that, Sharia law is not implementable in South West, Nigeria with these given reasons accordingly.

First and foremost, South West, Nigeria is a culturally and religiously diverse region, with a significant Christian population and a strong tradition of traditional religions. The implementation of Sharia law would require the imposition of Islamic values and principles on a population that is not uniformly Muslim. This would be a violation of the fundamental rights of non-Muslims to freedom of religion and conscience, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

Secondly, Sharia law is incompatible with the democratic principles and human rights enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. Sharia law is based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law, which prioritizes the rights of men over those of women and limits the rights of minorities. In contrast, the Nigerian Constitution guarantees equal rights for all citizens, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion. The implementation of Sharia law would require the suspension of these constitutional guarantees, which would be a violation of the fundamental principles of democracy and human rights.

Thirdly, it is worth noting that the implementation of Sharia law in South West, Nigeria would be a violation of the country’s international human rights obligations. Nigeria is a signatory to several international human rights treaties, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. These treaties guarantee the rights to freedom of religion, equality, and non-discrimination, among others, which would be compromised by the implementation of Sharia law.

Moreover, the implementation of Sharia law in South West Nigeria would exacerbate the existing social and economic tensions and violate Nigeria’s international human rights obligations. The region is already experiencing significant challenges related to discrimination, poverty, inequality, and unemployment, and the imposition of Sharia law would likely add to these tensions. The strict penalties prescribed by Sharia law for certain offenses, such as theft and adultery, would also be likely to lead to increased conflict and violence.

Furthermore, another significant obstacle to the implementation of Sharia law in South West, Nigeria is the lack of man power, institutional capacity and infrastructure to support such implementation. Sharia law requires a complex system of courts, judges, and legal scholars to interpret and apply its provisions. However, the judicial system in South West Nigeria is based on secular law, and there is a lack of trained personnel and infrastructure to support the implementation of Sharia law.

Therefore, it is essential to reject the implementation of Sharia law in South West, Nigeria and rather continue to promote the existing secular and inclusive legal system that respects the rights and dignity of all citizens. At this juncture, may I also provide some general disadvantages of Sharia law to any region, people and country as well so far:

Human Rights Concerns

1. Restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly: Sharia law can limit individual freedoms, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and association.
2. Discrimination against minorities: Sharia law can perpetuate discrimination against minority groups, including Christians, women, and children.
3. Cruel and inhumane punishments: Sharia law can prescribe punishments that are considered cruel and inhumane, such as amputations, stonings, and floggings.

Gender Inequality

1. Restrictions on women’s rights: Sharia law can limit women’s rights, including their right to education, employment, and equal treatment under the law.
2. Polygamy and child marriage: Sharia law can permit polygamy and child marriage, which can perpetuate gender inequality and harm women’s well-being.

Economic and Social Implications

1. Limitations on economic development: Sharia law can limit economic development by restricting access to credit, prohibiting certain types of businesses, and limiting the role of women in the economy.
2. Social segregation: Sharia law can perpetuate social segregation by separating Muslims from non-Muslims and creating tensions between different religious groups.

Challenges to Democracy and Rule of Law

1. Limitations on democratic participation: Sharia law can limit democratic participation by restricting the rights of certain groups, such as women and minorities, to participate in the political process.
2. Challenges to the rule of law: Sharia law can challenge the rule of law by creating parallel legal systems and undermining the authority of secular courts.

In conclusion, the implementation of Sharia law in South West, Nigeria is not feasible or desirable. It would require the imposition of Islamic values and principles on a culturally and religiously diverse population, would be incompatible with democratic principles and human rights, and would lack the necessary l institutional capacity to support its implementation.

The Christian community will not ever embrace it! They will never coward in to permit nor tolerate it in their own South West, Nigerian environment as in Northern Nigeria. The South West Nigerian youths will vehemently be opposed to the idea and they will fight it out as they are the owners and custodians of their future Western region, as we all know. The concept and idea may finally disintegrate and collapse the already divide country, as the last stroke on the horse’s back, if care is not taken and the idea well managed, dismissed and buried. May we not fabricate a religious war in Yoruba land.

Sharia law has been implemented in some states in Northern Nigeria, where they are already reaping it’s unenviable fruits by facing unbearable problems of religious intolerance, insecurity, inequality, poverty, etc, as in the rest of the world, where Sharia is being practiced. Therefore, it’s introduction will never be workable nor see the light of the day in South West, Nigeria, where the majority of the population practices Christianity and others traditional religion; and the youths are very intelligent and the Christians majority. In fact and to be frank, Sharia in South West Nigeria is a NO GO AREA!