The removal of a provision for Islamic Sharia law from the new Nigerian constitution could "destroy the country", AFP quoted Lateef Adegbite, a leading member of the Islamic community, as saying.
Adegbite, secretary-general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, said that the military ruler, General Abubakar, was wrong to say Sharia law would not be included. He was reacting to remarks by Abubakar at the weekend that no provision would be made in the new constitution being prepared for the incoming civilian government.
Some 50 percent of Nigeria's 108 million people are Muslims, the remaining 40 percent are Christians and 10 percent animists.
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