Makinde Endorses Sharia Panel In Oyo
Governor Seyi Makinde has told Muslims in Oyo State that he is not opposed to the sitting of Sharia panels in the state.
Makinde said anyone who so wishes can approach the Sharia panel to resolve their disputes, adding that he had no intention of going to court to test the constitutionality of the Sharia court’s operation in Oyo State.
A statement by his media aide, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, noted that Makinde spoke on Wednesday at the 2025 Iftar programme organised by the state government held at the frontage of the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
It would be recalled that the Chairman of the Sharia Committee of Oyo Land, Dr. Rafiu Bello, on Monday, said the Sharia panel had been established in Oyo town and had already commenced sittings.
In response, Makinde’s media aide, Olanrewaju, echoed the governor’s first reaction in January, where he declared that the Sharia court would only be allowed to operate in the state if permitted by the 1999 Constitution.
Olanrewaju said the state might have to approach the court to seek legal direction.
But speaking during the Iftar programme on Wednesday, Makinde declared that he had no intention of going to court, adding that Sharia panels are free to operate in Oyo State.
The governor said the Sharia panel could be an alternative dispute resolution mechanism, adding that the court of law is still empowered by the Constitution to settle all disputes and that his administration would always follow the dictates of the Constitution.
“I read in the newspaper that I would go to court for interpretation on the Sharia panel, which is ongoing in Oyo. That is not my position.
“My position is that we will support anything that is in our Constitution. I made a statement when Muslims in southwestern Nigeria came to my office that we should not encourage discord among ourselves no matter how little.
“The interpretation on my own side is that, even in our families, it is not every issue we take to court. When people have disagreements, the elders in the family try to settle the dispute.
“So, on this particular Sharia panel, whoever wants to patronise it and feels it is an alternative dispute mechanism, it is okay. It will help the government and ensure that the number of cases going to our judges is reduced.
“We will encourage alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and the only thing I can say is that if it is something to be enforced or that needs more clarity, you still have the court, which is recognised by the Constitution.
“My administration is focused on ensuring religious harmony and total unity in the state and would, therefore, not allow anyone to cause disaffection in the state,” Makinde stated.
He said he would not play into the hands of those seeking to cause religious disharmony in the state for the purpose of winning the election.
Makinde said, “We have all lived together peacefully and as we move towards the next election, there will be elements that only think about the next election. But what we have done in this administration is to think about the next generation.
“This is the reason that after three years into this government, we sat down and thought we should rehabilitate our roads. Before now, previous administrations would come in and patch the roads, but during rainy seasons, they get destroyed again.
“In our own estimation, we observed that most of these roads are 50 years old to 60 years old. So, we said we would scrape them, and reconstruct them so that for the next 30 years, nobody would do anything on them.
“So, as we move towards the next election, let us be vigilant. People will come with all sorts. But I know that your prayers will see us through. Oyo State would never go back to the era of ‘do or die’ politics.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
