₦airaland Forum

Remove Sharia From Constitution Or Preside Over Nigeria's Breakup, Igbo Group Tells National Assembly

The group declared that ongoing tensions surrounding Sharia criminal law have pushed the country toward what it described as an existential national test.

The Ndi Igbo Worldwide Union has issued a warning to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the National Assembly, and Northern Islamic leadership.

The group declared that ongoing tensions surrounding Sharia criminal law have pushed the country toward what it described as an existential national test.

In a press statement signed by its President, Benjamin I. Nwankwo, and Secretary, Chief Charles Edemuzo, the organisation said Nigeria had reached a critical turning point, stressing that “the time for ambiguity is over.”

According to the group, recent opposition by Islamic authorities to calls for the repeal of Sharia criminal law has exposed deeper constitutional and political contradictions within the Nigerian state.

The statement said, “The recent push-back by Islamic authorities against Mr. Riley Moore’s call to repeal Sharia criminal law exposes a bitter truth—the Nigerian state, in its current configuration, is no longer sustainable.”

The union argued that the controversy highlights structural realities embedded in Nigeria’s legal framework, noting that “Nigeria enshrines Sharia in its Constitution and, as a ranking member of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC), cannot simply erase it overnight.”

It added that attempts to impose a unified legal order without constitutional restructuring would fail, stating that “any proposal to impose a uniform common law system without first dismantling the 1999 constitution is a non-starter,” and warning that “those pretending otherwise are living in denial.”

The organisation maintained that the coexistence of dual legal systems undermines national unity, declaring that “two legal codes cannot coexist in a serious, modern nation.”

It further stated that Nigeria “cannot continue to pretend that a ‘common law’ society can function alongside a full-blown religious legal system.”

Addressing Northern political and religious leaders directly, the group said they must make a definitive choice, insisting that leaders should “either fully embrace an egalitarian common law society where all Nigerians are equal under the law or be allowed to exist as an exclusive Islamic enclave, legitimate, sovereign, and separate if they so choose.”

Describing the present arrangement as untenable, the union declared emphatically that “the status quo is dead,” adding that “the Sharia crisis proves that Nigeria cannot survive as a single, unified state under its current arrangement.”

The statement warned that Nigeria now faces only two possible outcomes, saying the nation stands between “a peaceful referendum establishing a safe-haven in the East for persecuted Judeo-Christian citizens, or violence and inevitable fragmentation, a reality no one desires but which history will enforce if the government continues to ignore the structural fault lines.”

Drawing historical parallels, the organisation argued that global precedents support sanctuary arrangements during periods of religious conflict, stating that “history offers clear lessons.”

It added that “England once guaranteed sanctuary for Protestants fleeing Catholic persecution in France,” and asserted that “Biafra can serve as a modern-day sanctuary for all citizens fleeing oppression in Northern Nigeria.”

The union stressed that its position should not be interpreted as a threat, saying plainly, “This is not a threat, it is a historical inevitability.”

The group also directed its message to federal lawmakers, declaring that “the National Assembly stands at its moment of truth.”

According to the statement, legislators must decide whether to “remove Sharia from the Constitution and preserve peace” or “ignore the writing on the wall and preside over a fracture of the Nigerian state.”
It added emphatically that “there is no middle ground.”

Defending the tone of its message, the organisation stated that “Ndi Igbo Worldwide Union makes no apology for this frankness,” while referencing incidents it described as evidence of insecurity and persecution, including “the public lynching of a college student—Deborah Samuel, the kidnapping and forcible slavery of Leah Sharibu, till date and several others.”

The group warned that continued inaction would carry consequences, insisting that “the safety, survival, and future of Ndi Igbo and all persecuted Nigerians demand clarity.”

It further cautioned that “any attempts to maintain the current imbalance will be recorded as deliberate negligence, with consequences that the architects of such inaction must face.”

Concluding the statement with a stark warning, the union said, “Nigeria has a choice. The clock is ticking.
History will remember who acted and who failed.”

I still can’t wrap my head around some of this nonsense. How on earth do you get so worked up about how a completely different set of people choose to live their lives?

Yes, some northern states follow Shariah law, fine, that’s their business. But how exactly is that supposed to bother a trader hustling in Onitsha market? Is he expected to start measuring his yams by Islamic jurisprudence now?

And this “break up” talk… what is that even supposed to be? A threat? A prophecy? Or just pure, unfiltered madness? Honestly, some people’s imagination deserves its own zip code.

Very good, being in the same country shouldn’t be by force especially a country with high population. I’m tired of this good for nothing country

So those breaking up alcohol drinks that belong to Onitsha man because of sharia is right?
Stoning Deborah because of blasphemy law is good
I'm not against anyone practicing his religion but I'm against anyone practicing it in expense of others

Richtaiwo:
I still can’t wrap my head around some of this nonsense. How on earth do you get so worked up about how a completely different set of people choose to live their lives?

Yes, some northern states follow Shariah law, fine, that’s their business. But how exactly is that supposed to bother a trader hustling in Onitsha market? Is he expected to start measuring his yams by Islamic jurisprudence now?

And this “break up” talk… what is that even supposed to be? A threat? A prophecy? Or just pure, unfiltered madness? Honestly, some people’s imagination deserves its own zip code.

Richtaiwo:
I still can’t wrap my head around some of this nonsense. How on earth do you get so worked up about how a completely different set of people choose to live their lives?

Yes, some northern states follow Shariah law, fine, that’s their business. But how exactly is that supposed to bother a trader hustling in Onitsha market? Is he expected to start measuring his yams by Islamic jurisprudence now?

And this “break up” talk… what is that even supposed to be? A threat? A prophecy? Or just pure, unfiltered madness? Honestly, some people’s imagination deserves its own zip code.

That same Christan Igbo trader goes to Kano to open a branch and his trailer load of drinks are seized and destroyed in accordance with Sharia. Yet you claim 'Nigeria must remain one'?

Why not have everyone go their separate ways, and practice your Sharia strictly in your neck of the woods with the full paraphernalia of Sovereignty, away from the ones you call 'infidels'.

Stop being clever by half.

Richtaiwo:
I still can’t wrap my head around some of this nonsense. How on earth do you get so worked up about how a completely different set of people choose to live their lives?

Yes, some northern states follow Shariah law, fine, that’s their business. But how exactly is that supposed to bother a trader hustling in Onitsha market? Is he expected to start measuring his yams by Islamic jurisprudence now?

And this “break up” talk… what is that even supposed to be? A threat? A prophecy? Or just pure, unfiltered madness? Honestly, some people’s imagination deserves its own zip code.

So the trader in onitsha selling beer 🍺 cannot do business (supply)in kano. Kano is not part of the so called Nigeria?

This oil money no gree una leave

I stand with Igbo group on this.

Dalohad:
That same trader goes to Kano to open a branch and his trailer load of drinks are seized and destroyed in accordance with Sharia. Yet you claim 'Nigeria must remain one'?

Why not have everyone go their separate ways, and practice your Sharia strictly in your neck of the woods with the full paraphernalia of Sovereignty, away from the ones you call 'infidels'.

Stop being clever by half.

Their house, their rules.

Who told the trader to go and deal in a prohibited item ?

This is how you will justify selling drugs upandan

Fake news from Sahara reporters

madridguy:
I stand with Igbo group on this.

Me too. I really don't understand how we can practice different laws as a country. Doesn't make sense.

As someone living in the South, I struggle to connect how removal of Sharia law from the constitution will reduce the activities of Boko haram, bandits etc

And how does the operation of Sharia law in Sokoto, or Kano affect non-moslems living in Sharia states. Ok, so eating in public during their fasting is frowned upon. Why not just adjust your eating habit to suit the desire of the overwhelming number of residents in the state you reside in - just for the period of fasting.

So they seize bottles of alcohol. If alcohol is so important to your life, why not move to a state where you can drink without hassle.

In my view, while Sharia law may encourage extremism, I do not believe that removing it from the constitution will reduce extremism. Boko haram followers and bandits in forests dont read the Nigerian constitution.

Let's focus on State police. That's what is important.

Our neigbours from the East. You all want the best for the country but leave those that have sharia and sharia pa":nels in their region to spearhead the removal of sharia.

When they don't, they will use their sophisticatiion to beg for the dissolution of the country when the time comes. The only people that will be a wedge to their beggings for the dissolution will be their fellow brothers, alfa's and those with thesame religious idealogy as the caliphate

Richtaiwo:
I still can’t wrap my head around some of this nonsense. How on earth do you get so worked up about how a completely different set of people choose to live their lives?

Yes, some northern states follow Shariah law, fine, that’s their business. But how exactly is that supposed to bother a trader hustling in Onitsha market? Is he expected to start measuring his yams by Islamic jurisprudence now?

And this “break up” talk… what is that even supposed to be? A threat? A prophecy? Or just pure, unfiltered madness? Honestly, some people’s imagination deserves its own zip code.

Thats because you people never understood the concept of "one Nigeria".

Nobody, wether Christian, Muslim or Traditional religious worshippers, should be allowed to make their religious beliefs law in any part of the country. We are not a theocracy.

If you insist you must practice sharia law, if you insist that your religious beliefs must be law in any part of the country, then you choose to be a seperate country

We cannot have a situation where one section of the country has Sharia law, another has Bhudist law, another has Jewish law etc

Practice your religion in your house or place of worship, do not make any religious belief law in any part of the country

Richtaiwo:
I still can’t wrap my head around some of this nonsense. How on earth do you get so worked up about how a completely different set of people choose to live their lives?

Yes, some northern states follow Shariah law, fine, that’s their business. But how exactly is that supposed to bother a trader hustling in Onitsha market? Is he expected to start measuring his yams by Islamic jurisprudence now?

And this “break up” talk… what is that even supposed to be? A threat? A prophecy? Or just pure, unfiltered madness? Honestly, some people’s imagination deserves its own zip code.

Look at what a learned person is saying in a secular country!!!
What a shame 😏

Richtaiwo:
I still can’t wrap my head around some of this nonsense. How on earth do you get so worked up about how a completely different set of people choose to live their lives?

Yes, some northern states follow Shariah law, fine, that’s their business. But how exactly is that supposed to bother a trader hustling in Onitsha market? Is he expected to start measuring his yams by Islamic jurisprudence now?

And this “break up” talk… what is that even supposed to be? A threat? A prophecy? Or just pure, unfiltered madness? Honestly, some people’s imagination deserves its own zip code.

Bro, I strongly disagree with you. if different regions of a nation cannot submit themselves to one homogenous system of law then such regions are better separating to form their own nations.

This Igbo group is right with this call. I will not be happy for my precious daughter to be stoned and burnt to death in any part of the North as Deborah, a Christian, was because the North host Sharia that sanctions blashphemy killing.

When you begin to make the arguments that Southerners should be cool with whatever system the North adopt, that supercedes our legal and constitutional system already in place, you are already making a valid argument for the separation of Nigeria.

I don't wish to live in a Nigeria where blashphemy murder is allowed in some regions, as Sharia punishment, whereas taking the life of another summarily should be viewed as cold-blooded murder in the eyes of the law of the land everyone must be subject to.

Nigeria needs to stand up to the North. They need to do so much better in so many ways.

This is the best response to the people whol want sharia you either erase it or divide the country. Simple.

Richtaiwo:
I still can’t wrap my head around some of this nonsense. How on earth do you get so worked up about how a completely different set of people choose to live their lives?

Yes, some northern states follow Shariah law, fine, that’s their business. But how exactly is that supposed to bother a trader hustling in Onitsha market? Is he expected to start measuring his yams by Islamic jurisprudence now?

And this “break up” talk… what is that even supposed to be? A threat? A prophecy? Or just pure, unfiltered madness? Honestly, some people’s imagination deserves its own zip code.

Simply put a country cannot be governed by 2 laws. Sharia law is supposed to be for the Islamic republic and not a secular country

The Muslims should be happy with an Islamic sharia republic as a country

DeLaRue:
As someone living in the South, I struggle to connect how removal of Sharia law from the constitution will reduce the activities of Boko haram, bandits etc

And how does the operation of Sharia law in Sokoto, or Kano affect non-moslems living in Sharia states. Ok, so eating in public during their fasting is frowned upon. Why not just adjust your eating habit to suit the desire of the overwhelming number of residents in the state you reside in - just for the period of fasting.

So they seize bottles of alcohol. If alcohol is so important to your life, why not move to a state where you can drink without hassle.

In my view, while Sharia law may encourage extremism, I do not believe that removing it from the constitution will reduce extremism. Boko haram followers and bandits in forests dont read the Nigerian constitution.

Let's focus on State police. That's what is important.

You know what you just wrote is full of lies. Sharia affects even Christians by force. Deborah death was sharia. A Christian man's building was seized in Abuja by a sharia judge till he cried out and people rallied to support him. And why should you even want to enjoy cat from alcoholic drinks if you are a sharia state, isn't that hypocrisy

Taqquiya.

They should push hard for it

gidgiddy:
Thats because you people never understood the concept of "one Nigeria".

Nobody, wether Christian, Muslim or Traditional religious worshippers, should be allowed to make their religious beliefs law in any part of the country. We are not a theocracy.

If you insist you must practice sharia law, if you insist that your religious beliefs must be law in any part of the country, then you choose to be a seperate country

We cannot have a situation where one section of the country has Sharia law, another has Bhudist law, another has Jewish law etc

Practice your religion in your house or place of worship, do not make any religious belief law in any part of the country

100% correct and first time you are talking complete sense. Things like Sharia introduce the basis for division, intolerance and resentment that will eventually go on to destroy a nation.

I don't know how many times it must be said to an educated person that the most developed nations of the world have homogeneity over issues related to the rule of law that should never be duplicated, open to multiple interpretation or different from one region of a nation to another.

Obasanjo is to blame for agreeing to Sharia in Zamfara in 1999. The fact is that the North wants to wallow in backwardness and regressive practices that, factually, can never aid the development of Nigeria into a great and modern nation. Any decent economists will prove this factually.

Look at the almajiri system.that renders a considerable number of youths of the North redundant human resources or the lack of family planning meaning two uneducated people, with no skills or decent jobs, go on to have 20 kids they cannot look after, who will then become menaces to society, because religion sanctions it.

We must tell ourselves the truth. As someone who has lived majority of his life outside Nigeria, I see precisely why and how Nigeria is failing.

The North will take all of us down in the end with their devotion to seeing Nigeria become Afghanistan. That is 100% inevitable unless sensible Nigerians start standing their ground to insist Nigeria belongs to all of us meaning we must all subscribe to obeying our common law and constitution.

Folks should listen to the Hausa man below and stop playing with what is a very serious issue. We keep indulging the most regressive region in our nation instead of insisting they shape up or ship out.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEczxfZ1s7Q?si=Psi4nNe95BzMmG84

They should be trying to remove ipob terrorists instead
Bunch of cowards sitting at home every Monday to avoid being killed by dirty illiterates

FSBoperator:
Their house, their rules.

Who told the trader to go and deal in a prohibited item ?

This is how you will justify selling drugs upandan

How is alcohol prohibited in your one Nigeria?

Richtaiwo:
I still can’t wrap my head around some of this nonsense. How on earth do you get so worked up about how a completely different set of people choose to live their lives?

Yes, some northern states follow Shariah law, fine, that’s their business. But how exactly is that supposed to bother a trader hustling in Onitsha market? Is he expected to start measuring his yams by Islamic jurisprudence now?

And this “break up” talk… what is that even supposed to be? A threat? A prophecy? Or just pure, unfiltered madness? Honestly, some people’s imagination deserves its own zip code.

A typical example of what I stated above. See the usage of Taqyiyah in his comment, " eh how they choise to live their lives". " it is their Business.

Mr man, let Mr tell you something..you can have that Business in your own country. Listen, "All that completely worked out ish" should happen in your own country. In ND, we no dey take ear hear "aria" talkless of "sha". Your Taqyiyah does not wirk on everyone. And believe me you should go thank Seun because my comment on your ish Taqyiyah would have been different

FSBoperator:
Their house, their rules.

Who told the trader to go and deal in a prohibited item ?

This is how you will justify selling drugs upandan

Are the drinks illegal under the Supreme Nigerian constitution?

WizardOfNG:
100% correct and first time you are talking complete sense. Things like Sharia introduce the basis for division, intolerance and resentment that will eventually go on to destroy a nation.

I don't know how many times it must be said to an educated person that the most developed nations of the world have homogeneity over issues related to the rule of law that should never be duplicated, open to multiple interpretation or different from one region of a nation to another.

Obasanjo is to blame for agreeing to Sharia in Zamfara in 1999. The fact is that the North wants to wallow in backwardness and regressive practices that, factually, can never aid the development of Nigeria into a great and modern nation. Any decent economists will prove this factually.

Look at the almajiri system.that renders a considerable number of youths of the North redundant human resources or the lack of family planning meaning two uneducated people, with no skills or decent jobs, go on to have 20 kids they cannot look after, who will then become menaces to society, because religion sanctions it.

We must tell ourselves the truth. As someone who has lived majority of his life outside Nigeria, I see precisely why and how Nigeria is failing.

The North will take all of us down in the end with their devotion to seeing Nigeria become Afghanistan. That is 100% inevitable unless sensible Nigerians start standing their ground to insist Nigeria belongs to all of us meaning we must all subscribe to obeying our common law and constitution.

Folks should listen to the Hausa man below and stop playing with what is a very serious issue. We keep indulging the most regressive region in our nation instead of insisting they shape up or ship out.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEczxfZ1s7Q?si=Psi4nNe95BzMmG84

I watched the video, and this is what many of us have been shouting to eons. The Muslim North is too backwards in thinking and keep dragging the rest of the country backwards.

Anytime the South wants to move, the North wants to vehemently slow down things and keep everyone in perpetual doldrums. They succeed because they have the numbers in the National Assembly..

It cannot continue this way.

FSBOperator, Richtaiwo, LottiOk have you watched that video?

Dalohad:
Are the drinks illegal under the Supreme Nigerian constitution?

Every state has the right and powers to enact laws.

Alcohol is a vice world over that's why it attracts heavy taxes.

Even your almighty US once banned alcohol sale, distribution and consumption