By Emmanuel Adegbite
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, has strongly condemned recent calls for the implementation of Sharia law in the Southwest, describing it as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the region. Speaking at the 2025 Oodua Festival in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Adams reaffirmed the Yoruba people’s commitment to religious tolerance and warned against any effort to impose external religious ideologies on the region.
Adams emphasized that the Yoruba ethnic group has historically maintained a culture of peaceful coexistence among its diverse religious adherents, including Islam, Christianity, and traditional African religions. He described the attempt to introduce Sharia law as a violation of this long-standing tradition and an affront to Nigeria’s secular constitution.
“Nigeria operates as a secular state where the constitution guarantees every citizen the right to practice their religion without coercion or intimidation. Unfortunately, the implementation of Sharia law in parts of northern Nigeria has often been politicized and weaponized for oppression. Yorubaland has never been governed by Sharia law, and any attempt to enforce it here is a direct threat to our cultural and religious harmony,” Adams stated.
He further warned that religious extremism and intolerance could lead to social unrest, emphasizing that the Yoruba people would not allow fundamentalist ideologies to take root in their communities.
Beyond rejecting calls for Sharia law, Adams raised concerns over the increasing presence of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements in Oyo and Osun States. He urged both the federal and state governments to take immediate and decisive action to prevent any security breaches that could threaten the region’s stability.
“Yorubaland has traditionally been one of the most stable regions in Nigeria. However, recent intelligence reports indicate a troubling influx of ISWAP and Boko Haram operatives into Oyo and Ilesa in Osun State. This development requires urgent and strategic intervention by both federal and state authorities to ensure that the security of the Southwest is not compromised,” he cautioned.
Adams called for increased vigilance among local communities, urging traditional leaders, security agencies, and citizens to work together in safeguarding their territories against external threats.
In his concluding remarks, Adams reiterated the importance of upholding Nigeria’s secular status and maintaining peace in the Southwest. He stressed that Yoruba leaders and communities would resist any attempt to sow discord under the guise of religious enforcement.
“The Yoruba people must remain united and vigilant against any external forces attempting to exploit religion for political or extremist agendas. Our heritage is built on peace, inclusivity, and progress, and we will not allow any destabilization efforts to take root in our land,” he asserted.
His statements come amid growing national security concerns and debates about the role of religious laws in a pluralistic society. The call for Sharia law in the Southwest, coupled with the reported movement of insurgent groups into the region, underscores the urgent need for strategic security interventions and a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and national unity.
