Islamic scholars allege marginalisation of Muslims in appointments

Seek establishment of Sharia courts in Yorubaland
A group, Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria (CYMSN), in conjunction with the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN), yesterday, lamented the low number of Muslim appointees from the South-West zone under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The scholars also called for the establishment of a Sharia Court of Appeal to adjudicate on cases involving Muslims in the region.

President of the SCSN, Sheikh AbdurRasheed Hadiyatullahi and Chairman of CYMSN, Sheikh Abdurrasheed Mayaleeke, who spoke during a joint media briefing in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, yesterday, explained that neither the Sharia Court of Appeal nor a panel is meant to adjudicate on the cases involving non-Muslims.

The duo, therefore, urged Tinubu to be fair to Muslim Umah from the South-West in the sharing of political appointments.

They posited that since the incumbent administration came on board on May 29, 2023, the southern Muslims, especially from the South-West zone, despite their unflinching support to the President during the general elections, are faced with another dimension or worst form of marginalisation.

The scholars added: “It is very disappointing to the southwestern Muslims that in spite of vehement criticisms against President Tinubu’s joint Muslim/Muslim ticket, all that the Yoruba Muslims that supported the team and put enormous resources into the struggles got is unfair representation in the government and a systemic denial of opportunities to participate in the development of the country.”

“The Yoruba Muslims’ demand has always been that it is the mandatory duty of South-West states to establish a Sharia Court of Appeal and subordinate courts of first instance for their citizens who are Muslims, considering their substantial population in their various states.

“This is in line with the constitutional provision, and against the backdrop of their belief that doing so will further assert accepting the reality of what made up Nigeria since they believe that Nigeria is not a secular state but a multi-religious sovereign nation under God.

“The demand must be done the same way the authority established Muslim and Christian Pilgrim Boards and just as some states have done in the case of Customary Courts of Appeal.”

“The common law court jurisdictions should not be forced on the South-West Muslims as the only alternative left with them whenever they need to seek a legitimate legal redress in their issues of personal law since the Marriage Act Cap. 218 of the Laws of Federation and Lagos 1958, the Will Law and Law of Administration of Estate are all extant Christian family laws in operation in our courts.”