Anita Ogona
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has told Muslims in the state that he is not opposed to the sitting of Sharia panels in the state, adding that anyone who so wishes can approach the Sharia panel to resolve their disputes.
Makinde also stated that he had no intention of going to court to test the constitutionality of the Sharia court’s operation in Oyo State.
According to a statement on Thursday by his media aide, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, 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.
The statement that the 2025 Iftar programme was the sixth edition since Makinde became governor in 2019.
The Chairman of the Sharia Committee of Oyo Land, Dr. Rafiu Bello, had on Monday informed The PUNCH that a 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 dis,-affection 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.
