By Suleiman Ibrahim, Lagos.
Sheikh Ridwan Jamiu, the Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque, has called on Muslims in the South West region of Nigeria to vote only for gubernatorial candidates in the 2027 elections who pledge to establish Sharia Courts. Delivering his Jumu’ah sermon on Friday, Sheikh Jamiu reiterated his view that Sharia Courts represent an Islamic Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism and are essential for addressing the personal law matters of Muslims.
The Imam’s call comes amidst ongoing debate regarding the implementation of Sharia in the South West. He emphasized that these courts would exclusively serve Muslims, handling matters such as marriage, divorce, child custody, inheritance, and wills, and would not involve non-Muslims. He drew a parallel with northern states where Sharia Courts exist, noting that non-Muslims are not subject to their jurisdiction.
Sheikh Jamiu urged Muslims to demand a formal commitment from any politician seeking their votes, stating, “Oh Muslims, as elections approach, any candidate seeking your support for governorship must pledge to establish Sharia Courts. If they refuse to sign an agreement with the Muslim community, do not vote for them.”
He argued that Section 277 of the Nigerian constitution allows states to establish Sharia Courts for Islamic personal law matters. He believes such courts should be established in all Yoruba states with significant Muslim populations, including Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, and Ondo.
The Imam also addressed concerns and opposition to Sharia panels in some South Western states, emphasizing that they are intended solely for Muslims. He called on Muslims to engage in educating those who oppose the establishment of the courts, suggesting that much of the opposition stems from misunderstanding.
Chief Imam Urges Muslims to Vote Only for Pro-Sharia Candidates in 2027
