The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, on Wednesday raised concerns over calls for the implementation of Sharia law in the Southwest, describing it as an attempt to destabilize the region.
He emphasized that such demands are driven by religious fundamentalists seeking to undermine the peace and unity of Yoruba communities.
Speaking at the 2025 Oodua Festival in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Adams asserted that Sharia law is foreign to Yoruba traditions and religious beliefs.
He warned that those advocating for its adoption were using religion as a tool to incite crisis, stressing that Yoruba people would not allow their region to be thrown into turmoil.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s status as a secular nation, where the constitution grants every citizen the right to practice their faith freely.
Adams stated, “Some religious fundamentalists now see Yorubaland as their target for destruction. But I want to assure you all that we will not allow religious fanatics and fundamentalists to destabilize Yorubaland.
“Nigeria is a secular nation where the constitution allows every citizen to practice whatever religion they believe in freely without any intimidation.
“Unfortunately, the Sharia law as practiced in the North has become a tool for politics and intimidation. Yorubaland is never a Sharia region. The Yoruba is also a multi-religious ethnic nationality.
“We have Muslims, Christians, and the traditional religion believers among us, and we have been living together peacefully without any religious crisis.
“We have also been practicing our different religions as allowed by the Nigerian Constitution. Therefore, nobody would be allowed to use religion as tools to cause religious crisis and disharmony in Yorubaland. Sharia law is alien to our culture and religious beliefs in Yorubaland.
“When some religious bigots decided to enforce their religious beliefs on the people, it becomes a major crisis. Therefore, those religious fanatics masquerading as Muslims should stay away from acts that could set Yorubaland on fire.”
In addition to rejecting Sharia law, Adams called on the federal and state governments to urgently address reports of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province members infiltrating parts of Oyo and Osun states.
Expressing concern over recent security developments, he said, “Yorubaland was very peaceful until recently when reports of the ISWAP influx in Oyo and Ilesha in Osun States gained momentum in the Southwest. So, both Federal and State Governments should address the security situation in the South West region with the seriousness it requires.”
