Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, Thursday, said his administration is not against Sharia law but will always stand by anything that is in line with the Nigeria constitution.
The governor said this at the 2025 Iftar programme organised by the state government, the sixth since he became governor of the state in 2019.
It was held at the frontage of the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Wednesday.
Clearing the air on the plan to apply Sharia law in some states of the South-west, including Oyo, Governor Makinde said members of the public could approach Sharia panel if they feel like doing so.
Governor Makinde added that the panel could be an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism, and that the court of law is still empowered by the constitution to settle all disputes, explaining that his administration would always follow the dictates of the constitution.
“I read in the newspaper that I would go to court for interpretation on the Sharia Panel, which is ongoing in Oyo. That is not my position. My position is that we will support anything that is in our constitution,” he said.
Governor Makinde added: “I made a statement when Muslims in South Western Nigeria (MUSWEN) came to my office that we should not encourage discord among ourselves, no matter how little.
“The interpretation on my own side is that, even in our families, it is not every issue we take to court. When people have disagreements, the elders in the family try to settle the dispute. So, on this particular Sharia Panel, whoever wants to patronise it and feels it is an alternative dispute mechanism, it is okay. It will help the government and ensure that the cases going to our judges are reduced.
“We will encourage alternative dispute resolution mechanism and the only thing I can say is that if it is something to be enforced or that needs more clarity, you still have the court, which is recognised by the constitution,” he added.