Call For Abrogation of Shari’a Law, An Agenda To Destabilise Nigeria – Shari’ah Council
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) says those pushing for the abrogation of Shari’a law in Nigeria are only doing so to achieve their agenda of inflaming tension, deepening mistrust, and undermining peaceful coexistence in the country.
The Secretary General of SCSN, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, said in a statement in response to a recent report that a United States Congress committee submitted to President Donald Trump, that those who drafted the report did so out of a clear agenda to destabilise Nigeria.
“For clarity, Shariah constitutes a comprehensive way of life for Muslims, encompassing spiritual, moral, social, and legal dimensions. It is the divinely ordained framework through which Muslims regulate their personal and communal affairs,” it said.
The statement added that Shariah in Nigeria is clearly guaranteed by the Constitution, which upholds freedom of religion and permits dherents to conduct personal matters in accordance with their faith.
The Council also said the shariah courts are operating lawfully within constitutional limits, and their jurisdiction applies exclusively to Muslims, as such any attempt to criminalize, delegitimize, or externally dictate how Nigerian Muslims practice their religion, will clearly undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty, constitutional order, and the fundamental principle of religious freedom.
“The Council therefore rejects any external interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs. Nigeria is a sovereign, multi-religious nation with a plural legal system and complex security challenges. Simplistic and bias driven narratives imported from abroad do not advance peace or justice; rather, they risk inflaming tensions, deepening mistrust, and undermining peaceful coexistence.”
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah also rejected the narrative of reducing the security challenges in Nigeria to a Christian genocide, describing it as simplistic, bias and very far from the truth.
“We also reject the propagation of the false “Christian genocide” narrative. This claim misrepresents Nigeria’s security crisis and detracts from the truth. The violence confronting the nation stems from terrorism, banditry, organized criminality, and governance deficits.
“The government appears either indifferent or incapable of resolving the security problem which has claimed the lives of Muslims and Christians alike.”
The Council, therefore, said framing this tragedy as a one-sided religious genocide is inaccurate and unhelpful.
“The council unequivocally” condemns all killings and bloodshed across Nigeria, regardless of the identity of victims or perpetrators.
“We mourn every innocent life lost and reject the politicization of human suffering. We pray that Allah grants the deceased eternal rest and gives comfort, strength, and patience to their families.”
The Shari’ah Council reiterated its call on the federal and state authorities to act decisively to end the wave of insecurity in the country, which is a fundamental constitutional duty.
It appealed to Muslims to intensify prayers and acts of righteousness during this month of Ramadan and seek Allah’s intervention for peace, security, justice, and unity in Nigeria.
“We urge all Muslims to remain law-abiding, steadfast in faith, and committed to peaceful coexistence with all Nigerians.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us. Our faith is not negotiable, our Constitution is clear, and our sovereignty must be respected by other nations and protected by our government.”
It could be recalled that the United States’ representative for West Virginia’s 2nd congressional district, Riley Moore, and Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Sub-committee, have submitted a report to Trump on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The report had recommended the abrogation of Sharia and blasphemy laws, claiming that the laws in Nigeria’s northern states are used to silence speech and dissent, target Christians and minorities, and justify convictions without due process.
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