2025: Time to Avert SHARI’A in South West Nigeria

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE GOVERNMENT OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The Rt. Hon. Antony Blinken
United States Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. Secretary,

We, the Yoruba Youths Council (YYC), are compelled to bring to your attention a pressing matter of great concern to the people of Southwest, Nigeria. As you may be aware, there have been attempts to extend the practice of Sharia law from Northern Nigeria to Southwest Nigeria. We strongly believe that such an extension would be unconstitutional and would have far-reaching and devastating consequences for our region, and so we take exception to it as representatives of YORUBA YOUTHS in Nigeria.

This is because this move would have far-reaching implications for the secular nature of our nation, the rights of non-Muslims in the region and the peace loving strongly united tribe of Yoruba. Thus, it is in order, that we appreciate your recent move to impose sanctions on Nigeria because of growing Islamisation, insecurity and persecution of the innocents in their own land.

Factually, Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria prohibits the adoption of any state religion by the federal government or any state government. This to say that, the government of Nigeria cannot adopt any religion as the state religion at the federal government or any state government level, as a secular nation. This means that the practice of Sharia in the northern states of Nigeria in its self is also unconstitutional.

It is also notable that the Sharia Law Bill proposed in Nigeria in general has been rejected and thrown out in the House of Representatives this year. The proposed amendment which sought to revise sections 24, 262, and 277 by removing the term “personal” from the context of Sharia law failed. It was a bill seeking to make Sharia law not just a personal matter in the constitution. However, this bill has been rejected in the House of Representatives, and the nays had it though the opposition to the bill was fierce, it couldn’t see the light of the day. So, why now sneaking in the so called failed SHARIA to the Southwest!

Moreover, the implementation of Sharia law in Northern Nigeria has been criticized for its human rights abuses and discriminatory practices. We fear that the extension of such practices to Southwest Nigeria would exacerbate ethnic and religious tensions, undermine the country’s fragile national unity, and violate the fundamental human rights of our people. Thus, we write to seek your urgent support and intervention concerning this increasing threat of the extension of Sharia law from Northern Nigeria into Southwest Nigeria.

As you are aware, the implementation of Sharia law in Northern Nigeria has already contributed to significant religious and social tensions, including the erosion of constitutional freedoms, the marginalization of religious minorities, ethnic cleansing; and the escalation of terrorism, banditry, illiteracy and sectarian poverty and violence. The potential extension of Sharia law to the Southwest would pose a severe threat to Nigeria’s fragile unity, peace, and constitutional integrity.

We urge you to kindly compel the Nigerian government to uphold the country’s secular principles and protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds as in the constitution. We also call on the international community, particularly the United States, to support our efforts to prevent the extension of Sharia law to Southwest Nigeria.

Our Concerns Are Rooted in the Following Critical Points:

1. Religious Freedom and Constitutional Integrity
Nigeria’s Constitution clearly establishes the country as a secular state, guaranteeing freedom of religion and the equal protection of all citizens under the law. The extension of Sharia law to the Southwest would violate these constitutional principles, undermining the religious and cultural harmony that has defined the Yoruba people for generations.

2. Threat to Peace and Social Cohesion
The Yoruba people have long been known for their religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Muslims, Christians, and traditional worshippers. The imposition of Sharia law would disrupt this delicate balance, fueling religious tension and potentially inciting conflict between communities that have historically lived in peace.

3. Human Rights Violations
Sharia law, as implemented in Northern Nigeria, has been associated with harsh penalties and discriminatory practices, particularly against women and religious minorities. Extending such laws to the Southwest would expose vulnerable populations to unjust treatment and undermine Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights agreements.

4. Political and Economic Consequences
The spread of Sharia law could discourage foreign investment and economic growth in the Southwest, destabilizing the region’s economy and worsening existing socio-economic challenges. The Southwest is a vital economic hub for Nigeria, and any instability could have far-reaching consequences for the entire nation.

In this light, kindly use your undeniably great influence to promote religious freedom and tolerance in Nigeria, especially in the South and specifically in Southwest where we have the Christian community, which is being threatened by potential extension of Sharia law from Northern Nigeria; and to support efforts that would prevent the erosion of our nation’s secular identity.

Your long-standing dedication to religious freedom and social justice places you in a unique position to engage with Nigerian authorities, international bodies, and human rights organizations to prevent this dangerous and destabilizing development. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we are grateful for your international friendship and support. We humbly appeal to you,
Secretary Antony Blinken, to please use your esteemed position as the United States Secretary of State and your global influence to advocate against the extension of Sharia law into Southwest Nigeria from the North, which is even unconstitutional.

Please accept our sincere appreciation for your time and consideration. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to justice and human rights. Once again, thank you Mr Secretary Sir, for your attention in this regard and on this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Prince Ayodele Gbologe
National President
Yoruba Youths Council (YYC)
Nigeria

Prince Tubosun Akande
National Secretary
Yoruba Youths Council (YYC)
Nigeria.