Sharia in Yorubaland: History, Right, Politics and Caution

It started from Oyo in Oyo State the political capital of the Yorubas with the announcement of a commencement date for Shariah Panel for Oyo and Its environs, and surfaced in Ekiti weeks later with actual images of a Shariah Court in session and the most disturbing is the video of the Timi of Ede, his Olori and entourage kowtowing to the Emir of Ilorin. 

                  Ekiti Sharia Panel

Many may see the events as unrelated but keen observers note a coordination and not a coincidence in the play of events. It is worrisome when one recollects that it is at the same time insurgents, bandits and all other destructive armed entities are reported to be infiltrating Yorubaland from the Fulani North. 

Timi of Ede bowing to Emir Gambari 

Those familiar with the history of how Ilorin was lost to the Fulanis two centuries ago can not suppress the feeling of deja Vu. 

At this juncture it is pertinent to clarify that religious belief and practice is a right guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and reinforced by many international conventions and declarations on human rights as well as Yoruba culture and traditions. Every one is free to practice his religion in deference to the laws of the nation-especially in a multi-religious nation like Nigeria.

It should also be noted that Shariah is not a strange thing to the Yoruba Nation. In reality one grew up believing it was a Yoruba word. It was synonymous with punishment with the aim for correction. It was the fear of our parents or any elder for that matter, meting out Shariah (Ṣẹria) to us that kept us from many hurtful and stupid actions. You are warned of being "da Ṣẹria fun" or being metted with Shariah if you did not obey your elders and so on. 

Iba Gani Abiọdun Adams

Yoruba Nation was familiar with Islam long before the coming of the Fulanis. Hausa men were secretaries to the Alaafins. The same way they adapted Arabic letters to write Hausa language so they did Yoruba language.  It is thanks to their influence many Arabic and Hausa words find their ways into Yoruba lexicon. Wàhálà meaning ìṣòro, ìdààmú meaning ifooro, déédé meaning ogba or ogboogba and the identifying "ni" among an almost inexhaustible list are examples of these. The structure of the Yoruba language was modified by those ancient scribes turning out the modern language we have today.

Governor Seyi Makinde 

Some Yoruba had embraced Islam long before the Fulani jihad with influence from the North while many more got Islam through Muslim merchants from Lebanon, Turkey and returnee slaves from Brazil in the coastal town of Lagos.  Islam in Yoruba Nation has always been about progress and development. Yoruba Muslims established schools attended by all even as Muslim children attend Christian schools. 

In my opinion, Muslims reserve the right to settle their affairs as dictated by the tenents of Islam. The argument that Shariah Law is not recognized in the West doesn't hold water with the knowledge that hundreds of thousands of cases are being settled by churches' elders, imams, family elders and all sorts of unauthorized persons daily. What matters is the consent and submission of parties to such adjucations. It is a matter of choice.

Governor Dapọ Abiodun 

The source of concern is the politization of Shariah with clear instigations from outside Yoruba Nation. If there were no hidden agenda, why would a body in operation for more than ten years now, according to Adebayo Shittu, come out as if they are just coming around? Why the sudden publicity given to the Ekiti Shariah Panel as if it was their first session? It was reported as the first public sitting not first sitting. The Ekiti Sharia Panel was inaugurated last October.  Why is it that the Sultan must intervene in matters concerning Yoruba Nation when we were never under his sultanate? Why would the Timi of Ede, historically a gatekeeper in Yoruba land bend down before the Emir of Ilorin? The symbolism in that is too eerie and heavy for me to mention Why is it at the same time unwanted elements of northern creation ate pouring into Yoruba land in their droves? Why must it be at a time when notable northern leaders are up on arms against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his progressive policies which they erroneously dubbed anti+north?

Those who want to make themselves tools in the hands of outsiders need to be reminded that the Hausa men who fell under Fulani scheming and served as soldiers to overthrow their own kings never got appointed as Emirs. It is reserved for Fulanis. Furthermore, both Afonja, an Oyo prince and the Ààrẹ ọna Kakanfo who enlisted the Fulanis against Òyó and Alfa Solagberu who aided the Fulanis in eliminating Afonja met died at the hands of the people they helped against their own heritage. None of their descendants are among the rulers of Ilorin today.

Yoruba unity, culture, security and independence as well as continual political and economic  relevance are at stake here. All hardline posturing from all sides must give way to reason before things get out of hand.