A Sharia advocate and current the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has urged leaders in the South-West to support the establishment of Sharia panels in the region, emphasising their role in promoting peace and religious harmony.
Oloyede, who also serves as the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, made this appeal on Sunday while speaking on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television.
Addressing concerns over the debate surrounding Sharia panels, he noted that such structures have existed in the region for years, despite the recent controversy.
“I believe Nigeria is a great country and will continue to be, but it requires serious rethinking. People have been talking about Sharia panels in the South-West recently, and I just smiled. I have never seen such a level of ignorance being displayed,” he said.
Citing historical references, Oloyede pointed out that a PhD thesis on Sharia panels in Oyo State was completed in 2007, proving that the system had been in existence long before then.
“The scholar who researched this is now a professor in Ibadan. His name is Prof. Makinde, coincidentally sharing the same name as the current governor of Oyo State,” he added.
On religious tolerance in the region, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin argued that South-West Muslims bear a psychological burden due to the prevailing peaceful coexistence.
“When religious tolerance is not actively monitored, one might unknowingly live in the past. As a Muslim from the South-West, I can say that we pay a psychological price for the peace and harmony being spoken about,” he said.
He further explained the disparity in legal frameworks, noting that while churches are licensed to conduct statutory marriages, Muslims face challenges in resolving marital disputes within an appropriate legal setting.
“If there’s a dispute in my marriage, where do I go? Since I married under Islamic rites, I have to take my case to a customary court where the judge may have little to no understanding of Islamic laws,” Oloyede explained.
“The Nigerian Constitution allows for the establishment of Sharia Courts of Appeal where the state assembly permits it, and such courts already exist in parts of the country, particularly in the North.”
His remarks come amid rising tensions in the South-West over the introduction of Sharia panels. While Muslim leaders defend their right to self-determination, non-Muslim groups have expressed concerns about the broader implications of such panels in a multi-religious society.
