The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has questioned the conspicuous silence of critics who had earlier opposed the introduction of Shari’ah arbitration panels in the South-West, following Governor Seyi Makinde’s recent public endorsement of the panels in Oyo State.
The Islamic rights group described the silence as hypocritical and deliberate, accusing South-West opinion leaders, socio-political groups, and state actors of double standards. This was contained in a statement issued on Friday, 2nd May 2025, by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
Earlier in the year, the establishment of Shari’ah arbitration panels in parts of the South-West had triggered outrage from various quarters. Political leaders in Ogun, Ekiti, and Oyo States publicly rejected the panels, while traditional institutions and some Yoruba socio-cultural groups warned that such religious arbitration could destabilize the region.
MURIC recalled that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State was among the most vocal opponents of the panels. However, in a significant development on 26th March 2025, the governor reversed his stance and acknowledged that Shari’ah is constitutional and lawful under Nigeria’s legal framework, added that the panels were free to operate in Oyo State.
Despite the governor’s shift, MURIC said none of the former critics have shown the courtesy or courage to accept the governor’s clarification or acknowledge their earlier misrepresentation of the law.
“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 “Prof Akintola said.
He added that while many Muslim leaders and organizations remained calm and chose the path of dialogue and enlightenment during the uproar, the same voices that stirred tension have now gone mute.
“What makes it difficult to see on Olumo Rock the naked truth sighted with solid conviction on Mapo Hill?” Akintola queried. “Why has a conspiracy of silence enveloped Iworoko Mountains? Ekiti is a land of the brave. Let the Ikogosi Warm Springs melt this unholy reluctance to own up.”
MURIC insisted that Shari’ah arbitration is not only legal but a constitutional right for Muslims who willingly submit to its civil jurisdiction. The group urged public commentators, religious leaders, and politicians to respect this right and avoid using religion as a tool for division.
“It is time for all stakeholders to embrace the truth and respect religious plurality. We must rise above sentiment and uphold the constitutional rights of all Nigerians,” the statement concluded.
