The factional leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Gani Adams on Wednesday described those pushing for Sharia law in the Southwest Nigeria as agents of destruction, reiterating that Nigeria is a secular nation.
This was as he called on the federal and state governments to act on the reported influx of terrorist masquerading as bandits into Oyo and Osun State.
Adams further noted that the Sharia law as practiced in the North has become a tool for politics and intimidation, adding that even at that, Sharia law is alien to Yoruba culture and religious beliefs.
Mr Adams who stated these in his address at the 2025 Oodua festival held in Ile-Ife, Osun State, emphasised that Yoruba people would not allow religious fanatics masquerading as Muslims to use religion as tools to cause crisis in the region.
He said, “Some religious fundamentalists now see Yoruba land as their target for destruction. But I want to assure you all that we will not allow religious fanatics and fundamentalists to destabilise Yorubaland.
“Nigeria is a secular nation where the constitution allows every citizen to practice whatever religion they believe in freely without any intimidation.
“Unfortunately, the Sharia law as practiced in the North has become a tool for politics and intimidation. Yoruba land is never a Sharia region. The Yoruba is also a multi-religious ethnic nationality.
“We have Muslims, Christians, and the traditional religion believers among us, and we have been living together peacefully without any religious crisis.
“We have also been practicing our different religions as allowed by the Nigerian Constitution. Therefore, nobody would be allowed to use religion as tools to cause religious crisis and disharmony in Yorubaland. Sharia law is alien to our culture and religious beliefs in Yorubaland.
“When some religious bigots decided to enforce their religious beliefs on the people, it becomes a major crisis. Therefore, those religious fanatics masquerading as Muslims should stay away from acts that could set Yoruba land on fire.”
Speaking on the recent influx of Boko Haram members in Oyo and Osun State, Adams said the government at all levels must tackle the issue with all seriousness.
“Yoruba land is very peaceful until recently when reports of the ISWAP influx in Oyo and Ilesha in Osun States gained momentum in the South West. So, both Federal and State Governments should address the security situation in the South West region with the seriousness it requires”, he added.
