SHARIAH: MURIC SLAMS CRITICS FOR REMAINING SILENT AFTER MAKINDE’S U-TURN

2^nd May, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:

SHARIAH: MURIC SLAMS CRITICS FOR REMAINING SILENT AFTER MAKINDE’S U-TURN

A faith-based civil society organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has queried states in the South-West on their silence after Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State eventually accepted Shari’ah despite his initial vehement opposition. The group described the silence as hypocritical and pregnant with meanings.

MURIC raised the question in a statement issued on Friday, 2^nd May, 2025 by the Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The full statement reads:

“Both mainstream and social media were agog with official statements coming from some state governments in the South-West rejecting Shari’ah arbitration panels earlier this year 2025 (https://punchng.com/makinde-plans-suit-as-oyo-sharia-panel-begins-sitting/; https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2025/01/29/dont-bring-sharia-to-ogun-abiodun-warns/; https://punchng.com/oyebanji-kicks-against-sharia-court-in-ekiti-cautions-opposition/).

“Not only that, hysteric halitosis and clangorous diatribes came from Yoruba groups over the institution of Shari’ah panels. The groups threatened hell and brimstone without disguising their readiness to attack Muslim leaders seen promoting Shari’ah in the region (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/01/yoruba-elders-warn-introduction-of-shariah-court-in-oyoll-bring-chaos-to-yorubaland/; ttps://www.muricnigeria.com/stop-plot-to-unleash-violence-on-south-west-muslims-muric/; https://punchng.com/sharia-lawll-cause-anarchy-in-swest-traditional-leaders-warn/; https://punchng.com/afenifere-can-others-oppose-push-for-sharia-in-swest/)

“Instead of engaging in a shouting match, Muslims in the region resorted to enlightenment and dialogue. This soon paid off as the governor of Oyo State who had been in the forefront of the attacks on Shari’ah eventually admitted that Shari’ah was constitutional afterall. He also promised to allow it in the state (https://punchng.com/sharia-panel-free-to-operate-in-oyo-says-makinde/).

“Governor Makinde uttered his landmark remarks on Wednesday, 26^th March, 2025. That was more than a month ago. We are surprised that up till this moment none of those who heated up the polity over the same Shari’ah matter has exhibited the courage or the courtesy to honestly and sincerely endorse what Makinde said.

“The present silence is not only hypocritical, it is also didactic and pregnant with meanings. The anti-Shari’ah camp in the South-West is made up of people who are unwilling to accept the truth.

“What makes it difficult to see on Olumo Rock the naked truth sighted with solid conviction on Mapo Hill? Why has a conspiracy of silence enveloped Iworoko Mountains? Ekiti is a land of the brave. They have never run away from the truth. Let the Ikogosi Warm Springs melt away this unholy reluctance to own up.”

#Shariah

#BreakTheSilence

#EmbraceTheTruth

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).