Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has seemingly changed his stance concerning operation of Sharia Panel in his state.
The governor on Thursday stated that residents who choose to resolve disputes through the Sharia Panel are free to do so, emphasizing that the initiative does not contradict constitutional provisions.
Speaking at the 2025 Iftar programme organized by the state government in Ibadan on Thursday, Makinde addressed concerns regarding the application of Sharia law in parts of the South-West, including Oyo State. The event, attended by Islamic clerics, Muslim leaders, and senior government officials, provided a platform for the governor to state his administration’s stance on the subject.
“I read in the newspaper that I would go to court for an interpretation regarding the Sharia Panel in Oyo. That is not my position,” Makinde said. “My position is that we will support anything that aligns with our constitution.”
He further explained that the Sharia Panel operates as an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism and does not replace the judiciary, which remains the constitutionally empowered body for adjudicating disputes.
Makinde drew parallels between the panel and traditional methods of conflict resolution within families and communities, where elders intervene in disputes before resorting to litigation. “Not every issue is taken to court,” he noted. “In our families, when disagreements arise, the elders mediate. The same principle applies here.”
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He revealed the benefits of embracing ADR mechanisms like the Sharia Panel, noting that they could ease the burden on the formal judicial system by reducing the number of cases reaching the courts. However, he assured that legal recourse remains available for anyone seeking further clarification or enforcement of decisions.
“We will encourage alternative dispute resolution mechanisms,” he said. “And if further enforcement or interpretation is required, the courts—recognized by the constitution—remain available.”
The discussion around the role of Sharia in the South-West has been a subject of public debate, with some residents expressing concerns about its implications.
This comes against a backdrop where the governor had earlier announced that his administration would challenge the legality of the recently established Sharia panel in the state. This was in response to the commencement of the panel’s sittings in Oyo town.
Makinde’s Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, had made the governor’s position to challenge the development clear, emphasizing that if the matter is constitutional in nature, the state government will refer to the Constitution to determine its legality.
“The governor was very clear about this from the outset: if it’s a constitutional matter, we must adhere to the Constitution. Does the Constitution allow for the establishment of a Sharia panel or court? That is what will determine the course of action we will take,” Olanrewaju said.
He further explained, “We cannot act outside the Constitution. If the Constitution allows the creation of a Sharia panel, then it will be tested in court. I personally do not believe it does. The Constitution does not authorize anyone to establish a court on their own. You cannot just set up a court in a state”, he had said.
