Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has clarified that he is not opposed to the operation of Sharia panels in the state, emphasizing that individuals who wish to utilize them for dispute resolution are free to do so. Speaking at the 2025 Iftar program hosted by the state government at the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Ibadan, Makinde also dismissed claims that his administration planned to challenge the constitutionality of Sharia courts in Oyo.
His remarks came after Dr. Rafiu Bello, Chairman of the Sharia Committee of Oyo Land, confirmed earlier in the week that a Sharia panel had been established in Oyo town and had begun its sittings. While his media aide, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, had previously hinted that the government might seek legal clarification, Makinde, during the Iftar, clarified that he had no intention of taking legal action.
Makinde described the Sharia panel as a voluntary alternative dispute resolution mechanism, reiterating that formal courts, recognized by the Constitution, remain the ultimate arbiters of legal disputes. He explained that even within families, not all issues are taken to court, as elders often mediate disputes, and that anyone who wishes to engage the panel is free to do so. He added that such mechanisms would help reduce the caseload in the state’s formal courts, but where legal enforcement is required, the courts remain the constitutional authority.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to religious harmony in Oyo State and warned against those attempting to sow discord for political gain. He noted that as the next election approaches, some individuals may try to manipulate religious sentiments, but his administration is focused on long-term development rather than political maneuvering. He also reflected on the state’s infrastructural projects, explaining that roads are being completely reconstructed rather than patched to ensure durability for decades.
The Iftar event featured praise for Makinde’s leadership from religious and political figures. The Chief Imam of the Oyo State Government House Mosque, Adebayo Rufai, commended the governor’s commitment to governance and prayed for divine rewards for his generosity during Ramadan. Other speakers, including Alhaji Abidemi Siyanbade of the Oyo State Muslim Community and Prof. Rasheed Aderinoye, lauded Makinde for allocating land for the reconstruction of the Rashidi Adesokan Mosque, which was affected by the Premier Hotel reconstruction project.
Dignitaries at the event included former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, PDP Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly Adebo Ogundoyin, Chief Judge of Oyo State Justice Iyabo Yerima, and several political and religious leaders. The 2025 Iftar marked the sixth edition of the annual event since Makinde took office in 2019.
[…] raged through a storage facility in Oyo town,Oyo State, destroying herbal products worth several millions of […]