Muslims want Sharia extended to south

Prominent northern Muslim scholars in Nigeria say they want to meet with governors of southwestern states with large Muslim populations - Lagos, Oyo, Osun and Ogun - to discuss prospects for introducing Sharia in their areas, ‘The Guardian’, a Lagos daily, reported on Monday.

The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria took this decision at a recent convention attended by delegates from 24 states, some of them from the southwest.

“Nigeria is ready for Sharia ... So, I assure you all that the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria will do everything in its power to ensure that Sharia is established in every part of this country where the population wants it,” Ibrahim Datti Ahmad, president of the council, told reporters.

Meanwhile, the bishop of Owo Anglican Diocese, the Reverend Adedayo Oladunjoye, asked the federal government to investigate reports that some Arab countries had promised US $800 million to any Nigerian state that adopted Sharia and another US$ 10 million to any organisation that pressured a state to adopt the legal system. Oladunjoye called on the government to break diplomatic relations with such countries, ‘The Guardian’ said.

“We need a legal system that will be devoid of religious dictation and as a mark of punishment to such states that have adopted Sharia law, the Federal government should withhold its subvention for a whole year,” the daily quoted him as saying.