Adebayo Shittu, former minister of communications, has said he would introduce Sharia law in Oyo state if elected Governor and if it is demanded by the people.
Gatekeepers News reports that the chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), recently declared his intention to contest 2027 Oyo governorship election.
Shittu made the comment during an interview on Naija Unfiltered, a podcast produced by Symfoni, where he was asked to react to ongoing debates about the introduction of Sharia law in the south-west.
While responding, Shittu questioned concerns raised by Christians over Sharia, asking how its institutionalisation would negatively affect them. “Let me ask you. How does Sharia law, if institutionalised, affect you as a Christian? How does it affect you negatively?” he asked.
The interviewer replied by pointing to reports of human rights abuses by Hisbah police in some northern states, where Sharia law is enforced.
Shittu dismissed the concern, saying, “The constitution guarantees freedom of religion. You are talking out of intolerance for religion. You are very intolerant.”
When asked if he would introduce Sharia law if elected Governor of Oyo in 2027, Shittu said the decision would depend on public demand. “If the people ask for it. Even the constitution says it should be established whenever it is demanded. It is open because the constitution allows it. I don’t run away from battles,” he said.
He added that opposition to Sharia often comes from religious intolerance. “A lot of people oppose Sharia, like you, out of intolerance. That is the truth. If there is Sharia in any community, no Christian can be forced to go under Sharia,” Shittu said.
The comments come amid lingering controversy over moves to establish Sharia arbitration panels in south-west states. The debate intensified in December 2024 after the Oyo chapter of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria announced plans to set up a Sharia court in the state, a move that sparked strong backlash and was later suspended.
