Yoruba youths reject introduction of Sharia Law in South-West

A coalition of Yoruba Nations youth groups has rejected plans to introduce the Sharia Law in the South-West.

The groups’ decision followed reports that the Oyo State chapter of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria plans to inaugurate a Sharia court in Oyo town on January 11, 2025.

In a statement on Monday, youths both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora strongly opposed the plans to introduce Sharia law in the South-West.

The statement was jointly signed by the Yoruba National Youth Leader (Diaspora), Prophet Ayodele Ologunloluwa, and the Home-base Leader, Comrade Oyegunle Oluwamayowa Omotoyole.

The youths reiterated their readiness to defend Yoruba ancestral land against any form of destabilization, including efforts to impose Sharia law.

The statement read: “We will resist any move to impose Sharia law or courts in Yorubaland. Yoruba culture and traditions are distinct, and any attempt to introduce alien laws will be met with fierce opposition.

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“We warn the Nigerian government not to create divisions in Yorubaland. Our focus is on Yoruba Nation self-determination, and we will not allow any external influence to derail our struggle.”

The youths, who referred to one of the quotes of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, vowed to mobilize resistance if the plan moved forward.

“Instead of a Yoruba man prostrating for a Hausa-Fulani, it is better to take courage and die,” they stated.

They also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the plans and appealed to the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, other governors in the South-West, monarchs, senators, and other leaders to reject the proposal and safeguard Yoruba cultural heritage.

“We will not allow any attempt to disrupt the peace of Yorubaland under the guise of religious imposition.

“No force on earth or in hell can stop the rise of a sovereign Yoruba state. We reject any effort to entrench practices that undermine our faith, values, and identity. We will resist this agenda with all our might,” the groups insisted.

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