A former communications minister vying for Oyo State’s governorship has pledged to introduce Islamic Sharia law in the southwestern region if locals demand it, dismissing Christian opposition as rooted in “intolerance” and insisting the constitution permits such measures.
Adebayo Shittu made the remarks during a Sunday interview on the YouTube channel SYFMOMI, where he argued that Sharia’s implementation would not compel non-Muslims to adhere to it.
“A lot of people oppose Sharia out of intolerance. How does Sharia affect Christians if institutionalised? If there is Sharia in any community, no Christian can be forced to go under Sharia,” Shittu said.
He conditioned the move on public request, adding: “Well, if the people ask for it. Even the constitution said it should be established wherever it is demanded. It is open because the constitution allows it.”
Challenging assumptions about religious uniformity in the Yoruba-dominated state, Shittu noted: “You are talking like every Yoruba is a Christian. There are Yorubas who want Sharia.”
Nigeria’s 1999 constitution allows states to adopt Sharia for civil matters in Muslim-majority areas, a provision already in place in 12 northern states since 2000, though its expansion southward has historically sparked debates over secularism and unity.
Shittu, who served under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2019, is positioning himself for the 2027 elections, but his comments have yet to elicit official responses from rivals or religious groups.
