Hi everyone,

I'm writing a Political Science paper titled "The politics of Shari'a law in Nigeria". I examine shari'a law in Nigeria, past and present, leading up to the current Boko Haram issue of course. I then explore reason(s) why the Nigerian government has taken such a lukewarm approach in dealing with this issue. I have done quite a bit of research about this, however I still haven't decided on an angle or possible angles to pursue.

My question is: What do you think is the politics behind the Nigerian government's lukewarm approach to the issue. Specifically Mr President and his cabinet. If you can give scholarly sources to back your response that would be better ))

Thanks for your help!

PS: Remember this quote by former President Obasanjo in August 2000, “I think shari’a will fizzle out. To confront it is to keep it alive.” Is Jonathan using the same tactic on Boko Haram? I want to know what you think!

Bump! Poli sci gurus, help a sister out!!

The issue of Sharia in Nigeria is basically a constitutional one. The 1999 Nigeria constitution as amended made provisions for the introduction of the Sharia legal system. Also,some experts in law regard the Sharia system as a better alternative to the legal/judicial systems of the Western world. This school of thought contends that Western judicial processes have not significantly reduced the crime rate in Nigeria. One can infer that the protagonists of Sharia law believe that its (Sharia) harsh punishments, such as amputation of the limbs, would be more effective in deterring people from committing crimes.
(sources: Anyanwu, Ogechi. "Crime and Justice In Post Colonial Nigeria: The Justifications and Challenges Of Islamic Law Of Sharia. 2005/2006. Vol 21, page 320.http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.csusm.edu/ehost/detail?vid=3&hid=18&sid=5fcb8502-5b1a-44c4-a20c-55a45e6af8dd%40sessionmgr10&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=23023094

Nigeria constitution, section 7.