Politics

Controversy Surrounds Proposed Sharia Court in Oyo State, Event Postponed Indefinitely

Published

1 year ago

December 25, 2024

Oyo State, known for its cultural diversity and religious harmony, was recently at the center of a heated debate following a viral post on X (formerly Twitter) announcing the inauguration of a Sharia court in Oyo town. The post, shared by AbdulQowiyy Olalekan Imam-Oníde (@A_QowiyyBadmus) on December 20, 2024, claimed that the Southwest lacked trial courts for Muslim matters and announced the inauguration of a Sharia court by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, Oyo Chapter, scheduled for January 11, 2025.

The invitation included prominent figures such as the Basorun of Oyo land, High Chief Yusuf Olayinka, Alhaji Tajudeen Kamorise (Aare Musulumi of Oyo land), Alhaji Abdul Lateef Eleyele (Mufasiru of Oyo land), and Alhaji Yaqub Mainazara (Amir li-Mumeen of Oyo land). The event was to be held at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre, Mobolaje Area, Oyo.

Public Backlash and Social Media Concerns

The announcement sparked widespread criticism and fear, with many questioning its implications for unity and social harmony in the Southwest. A user on X warned, “If Sharia law gets implemented in your state, you can be randomly arrested and imprisoned for ‘indecent dressing,’ even if you are not a Muslim.”

Prominent religious leaders and legal experts expressed doubts about the development. Alhaji Taofeek Akewugbagold, a former chairman of the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board, and former Attorney General of Oyo State, Mutalubi Ojo, denied knowledge of such plans. Legal luminary Ahmed Raji (SAN) clarified that the initiative was not a Sharia court but an arbitration panel for resolving disputes among consenting Muslims.

Clarification and Postponement

Raji emphasized, *“The council intended to establish a Sharia panel for arbitration, not a court with punitive powers. No court can be established without government approval, and this panel’s decisions are non-binding for those who do not consent.”*

In response to the backlash, the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (Oyo Branch) announced the indefinite postponement of the event. In a statement issued on December 24, 2024, and signed by the Khadimul Muslimeen of Oyo Kingdom, Imam Daud Igi Ogun, the group said:

“On behalf of Oyo Muslim indigenes, this is to inform the general public that the inauguration ceremony of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (Oyo branch), previously scheduled for January 11, 2025, has been suspended until further notice. Islam portrays peace.”

The controversy highlights the delicate balance between religious practices and public perception in Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of transparency and dialogue in maintaining social harmony.

Politics

How Buhari shocked me 6 months into his administration – Oyegun

Published

2 hours ago

February 7, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Chairman, Policy Manifesto Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, John Odigie-Oyegun, says former president Muhammadu Buhari gave him the shock of his life, six months into his administration as Nigeria’s leader.

Oyegun made this disclosure on Friday when he featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

He revealed that as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he went to tell Buhari that he was not delivering his election promises to Nigerians but that the late president told him he would not rule with strictness, but rather wanted to show Nigerians that he is a true civilian president.

The former APC National Chairman lamented that it became business as usual, from there.

“I was national chairman of the APC. Six months or less into our assuming office, fairly alarmed, I went to the late President Buhari for a one-on-one talk. I said Mr President, this is not what the people were expecting. They wanted a bit of the old president Buhari.

“And he explained to me, Mr Chairman, I have learned my lesson. I was shocked. And don’t forget at that time, a lot of prominent Nigerians took their holidays abroad, just to be sure and see what this new sheriff in town will be.

“Buhari told me he wants to now show the people that he’s a true civilian president in Agbada. And by the time we finished the conversation, I said Oh God, we are finished. Because, if he’s not ready to be strict, what’s the point?

“Weeks later, months later, years later, I was proven correct. And of course, it became business as usual, only that they are a new set of tenants in Aso Rock. That was a shocker,” he said.

Politics

Electoral Reform: Dino alleges senate’s plot to rig 2027 election

Published

24 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Former lawmaker, Dino Melaye Esq, has raised concerns over the Senate’s reported rejection of the electronic transmission of election results.

The move, according to Melaye, is a clear endorsement of election rigging and an indication of a sinister plan to rig the 2027 elections.

In a statement on Friday, the former lawmaker criticized the Senate’s decision, stating that it undermines the credibility of the electoral process.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain, also stated that the move opens the door for electoral manipulation and fraud.

He further warned that the rejection of electronic transmission of results is a step backwards for democracy in Nigeria.

Melaye called on lawmakers and citizens to stand up against “this blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent”.

Politics

Electoral Act: Nigerians have every reason to be mad at Senate – Ezekwesili

Published

1 day ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has said Nigerians have every reason to be mad at the Senate over the ongoing debate on e-transmission of election results.

Ezekwesili made this known on Friday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ monitored by DAILY POST.

DAILY POST reports that the Senate on Wednesday turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the Electoral Amendment Bill that aimed to compel the electronic transmission of election results.

Reacting to the matter, Ezekwesili said, “The fundamental issue with the review of the Electoral Act is that the Senate retained the INEC 2022 Act, Section 60 Sub 5.

“This section became infamous for the loophole it provided INEC, causing Nigerians to lose trust. Since the law established that it wasn’t mandatory for INEC to transmit electoral results in real-time, there wasn’t much anyone could say.

“Citizens embraced the opportunity to reform the INEC Act, aiming to address ambiguity and discretionary opportunities for INEC. Yet, the Senate handled it with a “let sleeping dogs lie” approach. The citizens have every reason to be as outraged as they currently are.”