-
Says it can’t stand
From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, on Wednesday, posited that the constitution of Nigeria guaranteed freedom of religion, hence the reason Sharia law cannot have its way.
Adams, who spoke at the Oodua festival in Ile-Ife, declared that Yorubaland is not a Sharia nation, warning religious fanatics and fundamentalists to avoid disintegrating the country.
According to Adams, the people of Saudi Arabia adhere to Sharia law because they are governed by the Holy Quran, which they use as their constitution.
He said, “Saudi Arabia is a good example of an Islamic kingdom that practises Sharia law according to the Holy Quran. The Saudis also adhere strictly to the law and they are happy because Sharia law is in tandem with their religious beliefs and teachings.
“However, Nigeria is a secular nation where the constitution allows every citizen to practise whatever religion they believe in freely without any intimidation,” Adams said.
He noted that the Sharia law being practised in Northern Nigeria has become a tool for politics and intimidation rather than a true reflection of Islamic justice, noting that Yorubaland has never been a Sharia region and the Yoruba people are a multi-religious ethnic nationality.
He said, “Unfortunately, the Sharia law as practised in the North has become a tool for politics and intimidation. Yorubaland is never a Sharia region. The Yoruba are also a multi-religious ethnic nationality. We have Muslims, Christians, and traditional religion believers among us, and we have been living together peacefully without any religious crisis. We have also been practising our different religions as allowed by the Nigerian Constitution.”
“Therefore, nobody would be allowed to use religion as a tool to cause religious crisis and disharmony in Yorubaland. Sharia law is alien to our culture and religious beliefs in Yoruba,” Adams added.
He appealed to all South West governors to inject more funds into the promotion of Yoruba culture and tourism.