Dr. Nafiu Baba Ahmed, is a lawyer and Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria


What should be the role of religious leaders in Nigeria’s politics?

I can only speak about Muslim leaders. My own view on the kind of role they should play, because I have seen the role of the Christian leaders, now let me talk about my own perspective. We had a governor, a Christian cleric in Taraba state who died, who had numerous cases with EFCC. We have had another one in Plateau who is claimed to be a religious bigot. They had bad records. Their religious teaching or faith has not impacted on their leadership role as leaders. In my view, Muslim leaders should not engage in partisan politics ,seeking political office. This is against the background that the democracy we practice harps on perpetual division within the society through political parties that are struggling for power. This is bound to cause a division. If a respected Islamic scholar contests for position under a particular party, then others will begin to see you from that party, not as a scholar or clergy; whatever you say, they will look at it from party angle. What they should do is to remain as successor of Prophet who teaches and stands for the truth and justice irrespective of whoever, whether the government or the governed. Tell the people what and how they should live. That is their role and any move to join partisan politics will cost them their respect and reputation. But equally, they should actively be involved in ensuring the emergence of credible leadership at the different levels in the country. If scholars remain with true teaching on the religious doctrines, they will exert serious influence in determining who is to be what in politics, rather than going to governors’ offices for favour.


Would your organization want to see sharia practiced across Nigeria, in the 36 states?

No, no. You cannot implement sharia in Cross River, Akwa Ibom or Enugu, Anambra or Ebonyi. It ‘ll look absurd, and it’s against the teaching of Islam. We’ll live together with those states who are predominantly Christians because that is how God wants it and told us what to do. We respect people’s religion as I respect my own.
Our mission is to see the implementation of sharia in states that are predominantly Muslims. In the North, seven states, Southwest, four states, only Ondo and Ekiti have lesser Muslims numbers. Even if it is implemented in those states only Muslims will be applied to.


Do you support power rotation or zoning arrangement between the North and the South?

My view and that of my Council and other Muslim organizations we relate with is that democracy is a game of numbers. Henceforth, we’ll not associate with any political party that seeks to subvert the fundamental principles of democracy which is numbers. Why should the majority accept minority leadership just for a principle of zoning. Let anybody qualified to contest for any position or feels he has sufficient numbers of support and credibility get it, so be it. We’ll not support any zoning. Anybody that comes with parochial thought of zoning or rotation, we’ll reject. Any credible person, be he Hausa, Yoruba or any person could canvass for support and free to be elected. The argument of the advocates for rotation does not hold water , it is self-serving and I feel that they don’t have the numbers so the only way for them to scale through is hide under this, with negative propaganda. Nobody can intimidate us , we ‘ll never accept this arrangement.
https://www.sunnewsonline.com/why-sharia-council-reject-power-rotation-baba-ahmed/

it will not happen fact !

atiku07:
it will not happen fact !

Never say never bro. Anything can happen

myright:
Dr. Nafiu Baba Ahmed, is a lawyer and Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria


What should be the role of religious leaders in Nigeria’s politics?

I can only speak about Muslim leaders. My own view on the kind of role they should play, because I have seen the role of the Christian leaders, now let me talk about my own perspective. We had a governor, a Christian cleric in Taraba state who died, who had numerous cases with EFCC. We have had another one in Plateau who is claimed to be a religious bigot. They had bad records. Their religious teaching or faith has not impacted on their leadership role as leaders. In my view, Muslim leaders should not engage in partisan politics ,seeking political office. This is against the background that the democracy we practice harps on perpetual division within the society through political parties that are struggling for power. This is bound to cause a division. If a respected Islamic scholar contests for position under a particular party, then others will begin to see you from that party, not as a scholar or clergy; whatever you say, they will look at it from party angle. What they should do is to remain as successor of Prophet who teaches and stands for the truth and justice irrespective of whoever, whether the government or the governed. Tell the people what and how they should live. That is their role and any move to join partisan politics will cost them their respect and reputation. But equally, they should actively be involved in ensuring the emergence of credible leadership at the different levels in the country. If scholars remain with true teaching on the religious doctrines, they will exert serious influence in determining who is to be what in politics, rather than going to governors’ offices for favour.


Would your organization want to see sharia practiced across Nigeria, in the 36 states?

No, no. You cannot implement sharia in Cross River, Akwa Ibom or Enugu, Anambra or Ebonyi. It ‘ll look absurd, and it’s against the teaching of Islam. We’ll live together with those states who are predominantly Christians because that is how God wants it and told us what to do. We respect people’s religion as I respect my own.
Our mission is to see the implementation of sharia in states that are predominantly Muslims. In the North, seven states, Southwest, four states, only Ondo and Ekiti have lesser Muslims numbers. Even if it is implemented in those states only Muslims will be applied to.


Do you support power rotation or zoning arrangement between the North and the South?

My view and that of my Council and other Muslim organizations we relate with is that democracy is a game of numbers. Henceforth, we’ll not associate with any political party that seeks to subvert the fundamental principles of democracy which is numbers. Why should the majority accept minority leadership just for a principle of zoning. Let anybody qualified to contest for any position or feels he has sufficient numbers of support and credibility get it, so be it. We’ll not support any zoning. Anybody that comes with parochial thought of zoning or rotation, we’ll reject. Any credible person, be he Hausa, Yoruba or any person could canvass for support and free to be elected. The argument of the advocates for rotation does not hold water , it is self-serving and I feel that they don’t have the numbers so the only way for them to scale through is hide under this, with negative propaganda. Nobody can intimidate us , we ‘ll never accept this arrangement.
https://www.sunnewsonline.com/why-sharia-council-reject-power-rotation-baba-ahmed/

they want to introduce sharia in South West, hope we have seen how it developed the northern region. Be wise and dont fall for religion scrap. You are learned

He observed how a Christian governor was corrupt but didn't remember the corrupt Muslim governors including the former pro Zamfara governor who instituted Sharia law in his State.

As we have all seen, except we choose to be hypocritical, religion has little to do with our leaders behaviour in Nigeria. We've seen Alfas and Pastors engaged in all kinds of shady deals. The North with Sharia in practice, has not done better than the South in any way.

The more we choose to emphasise those things that divide us the more problems we create for ourselves.

My only advice to the people of the South West is to be very vigilant. Be awake as the the fish.

Welcome development. Sharia + Ruga = SW presidency

As a Yoruba Muslim, I support Sharia in SW.

Alhamdulilah.

Chibuzoc:
Welcome development. Sharia + Ruga = SW presidency

Be wise! whatever affects the nose affects the mouth. We are connected in one way or the other.

IDeyNL:
As a Yoruba Muslim, I support Sharia in SW.
Alhamdulilah.

I don't think you're from the south west

Thankfully my state of origin is excluded...but all the same, Ko le werk

myright:
Be wise! whatever affects the nose affects the mouth. We are connected in one way or the other.

Connected in a country were it's a crime to be Igbo lol

Chibuzoc:


Connected in a country were it's a crime to be Igbo lol

I'm from the land of the rising sun, but that doesn't take away my humanity despite all the injustices we go through everyday in this country. We are all connected bro. Separation is an illusion!

What part of you is Yoruba, the tip of your nails from Ilorin?

Nobody ever taught you that Yoruba ko gba WERE mo ESIN.

Does Sharia cover Northern Looters too.

Ndi Ara.

IDeyNL:
As a Yoruba Muslim, I support Sharia in SW.

Alhamdulilah.

myright:
I'm from the land of the rising sun, but that doesn't take away my humanity despite all the injustices we go through everyday in this country. We are all connected bro. Separation is an illusion!

I was born in the North and even look like a northerner but I will tell you that it's just a thin line between love and hate of which the line is crossed.
Some people say unity makes strong but in reality separation makes us stronger

Chibuzoc:


I was born in the North and even look like a northerner but I will tell you that it's just a thin line between love and hate of which the line is crossed.
Some people say unity makes strong but in reality separation makes us stronger

Nwanna, I understand everything you're saying. I'm also a Biafranist and MNK is my leader. Everybody in this contraption needs a country of their own. We will do far more better when we exist on our own. My african traditional spirituality teaches me that; nwanne di na mba, agbata obi onye bu nwanne ya.

While we agitate, struggle to unbound yourself from this contraption, please lets always remember that we are humans first. If the majority of south westerners say they don't want sharia law, we mustn't force it on them

myright:
Nwanna, I understand everything you're saying. I'm also a Biafranist and MNK is my leader. Everybody in this contraption needs a country of their own. We will do far more better when we exist on our own. My african traditional spirituality teaches me that; nwanne di na mba, agbata obi onye bu nwanne ya.

While we agitate, struggle to unbound yourself from this contraption, please lets always remember that we are humans first. If the majority of south westerners say they don't want sharia law, we mustn't force it on them

You're a true Igboman
Eziokwu bu NDU

Chibuzoc:

You're a true Igboman Eziokwu bu NDU

Udo diri gi bro

Mad men everywhere.
Your sharia didn't stop Boko haram, it encouraged it.
Your shari didn't stop bandits, it encouraged it.

Now you want to spread your destructive ideology to other regions.
It will not work.
Any governor who attempts it SW regardless of religion will have his political career destroyed.

myright:
Udo diri gi bro

And you too bro.
Thanks

Where are you guys getting all this news and who the bleep are these MF’s advocating shariah in the SW?

This to me will be the biggest joke of the century. Well Shariah will be rejected by we muslims ourselves and I can tell you for free that this is just arrant nonsense from some confused beings.

There wish which hold no water

LegendHero:
Where are you guys getting all this news and who the bleep are these MF’s advocating shariah in the SW?

This to me will be the biggest joke of the century. Well Shariah will be rejected by we muslims ourselves and I can tell you for free that this is just arrant nonsense from some confused beings.

You are not a Muslim bro.

Old news

Wow i have been expecting these for long.our yoruba muslim brothers dream has finally come true.
Ofcause sw has only 4 state,the rest two lagos and ondo originally belong to the great ijaws.
Let me invite the northerner tosyn2much,and some yoruba christians like sexybbstar,toks2008,the full emptycoconuthead.what do you think.
I am so so hapy.

Xisnin:
Mad men everywhere.
Your sharia didn't stop Boko haram, it encouraged it.
Your shari didn't stop bandits, it encouraged it.

Now you want to spread your destructive ideology to other regions.
It will not work.
Any governor who attempts it SW regardless of religion will have his political career destroyed.

its a liar.sharia must hold whether you like it or not in the 4 yoruba states except lagos and ondo which they stole from us.

olabukola:
You are not a Muslim bro.

Lol, I’m even more Muslim than you. I read the tira from the initial Alif one up to the end. I read Itumo (translation) from Mon ro buka (tani olorun re) to almost the third one or so.

On my walimat day, this is exactly the Arabic word I read.

Ismi *My name* ibnu *my surname* Ana tolibu fi morikaz talim, daruli ikimat, arobiya wal islamiya, fi Ibadan. Kola rosululahi sola la alaayim wasalam, ****.

Meaning (It’s me legendhero son of my dad, I attend the religious (Ile keu) house called Talim or so located in Ibadan. The messenger of Allah (Mohammed) SAW said that ***.

Bro, SW is not the destination for any rubbish Shariah, it’s already dead on arrival. The said group advocating for shariah are too minute to effect any changes. That obnoxious law will be repealed starting from the mosque itself.

technicallyrich:

its a liar.sharia must hold whether you like it or not in the 4 yoruba states except lagos and ondo which they stole from us.

I'm sure you're not from the south west so please stop trolling

Omoodua007:
Old news

Its not old bro. Here is the original caption and date from The Sun Newspaper