Araba Agbaiye warns against establishing Sharia Court in South West states

The Araba Agbaiye, His Eminence, Owolabi Awodotun Aworeni has warned those planning to establish Sharia Courts of Law in Oyo town and Yorubaland to retrace their steps.

This is as he also warned that Sharia law, under any guise, would not be tolerated in any part of Yorubaland, comprising Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, and Lagos States.

The warning came after an Islamic organisation; the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (Oyo State chapter) revealed that it was planning to inaugurate a Sharia court in Oyo town on January 11, 2025.

The plan by the organisation, however, met stiff opposition from youths in the South West states.

The opposition led the organisation to call off the proposed inauguration of the Shari’ah Court.

However in a personally signed statement on Wednesday, Araba Aworeni, who is the Oluisese and Supreme leader of traditional religion worshippers worldwide said Yorubaland was renowned as a sanctuary of traditional beliefs from Inception and attempts to establish Sharia Court posed a significant danger to the security of lives and properties across the South West region.

He said, “Yorubaland has been renowned as a sanctuary of traditional beliefs since its inception and is celebrated for its traditional faith, practice, spirituality, and knowledge. The insistence of some dissident groups within the Islamic Council to establish Sharia Courts in Yorubaland on January 11th, 2024, poses a significant danger to the security of lives and property across the South-West states.”

He called on the Federal Government and stakeholders to warn religious fanatics and similar interest groups to stay away from Yorubaland.

He hinted that available evidence has convinced him and the council of Araba that the establishment of Sharia Courts in Yorubaland would have severe negative consequences on the peace of our region.

“In light of this, I have found it extremely necessary to plead with the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, and all stakeholders to warn those Islamic fanatics and similar interest groups to stay away from Yorubaland. Available evidence has convinced me and the council of Arabas that the establishment of Sharia Courts in Yorubaland would have severe negative consequences on the peace of our region.

“As the Supreme Leader Traditional Religion Worshippers strongly oppose plans to introduce Sharia law or establish Sharia Courts in the South-West region of Nigeria. The Sharia Court in Oyo town initiative is divisive, and we will resist any attempt to impose extremist legal systems on Yorubaland.

“We traditionalists will not allow Sharia law or courts in our land. Yoruba traditions and values are distinct, and any attempt to impose foreign systems on us will meet firm resistance. Sharia law is incompatible with our way of life and undermines the principles of harmony and coexistence we cherish.”

While demanding an immediate withdrawal of the proposed plan, he insisted that traditional worshippers were ready to defend the Yoruba ancestral land against any form of destabilisation.

“We are ready to defend Yoruba ancestral land against any form of destabilisation, including efforts to impose Sharia law. We are committed to Yoruba identity, culture, and tradition, and the preservation of our cultural identity remains non-negotiable.

“I warn the Federal Government and Yoruba governors not to create divisions in Yorubaland. Our focus is on Yoruba culture, and we will not allow any external influence to derail our identity.

“On behalf of Traditional Religion Worshippers, I demand the immediate withdrawal of the plans and call on Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, South-West governors, Yoruba monarchs, senators, State Assemblies and other leaders to reject the proposal entirely and safeguard Yoruba cultural heritage. As Sharia law is incompatible with Yoruba values, culture, and way of life as Omoluabi.”

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has also weighed in on the controversy, warning that any activities must conform to Nigerian law.

“If the initiative abides by the Constitution, that is fine. If not, we will ensure the law prevails,” he asserted.

Araba Agbaiye warns against establishing Sharia Court in South West states