Innocent Onoh
The Southern Solidarity Alliance (SSA) has rejected in its totality any suggestion or directive that Sharia laws be implemented in Southwest or any part of Southern Nigeria thereof.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mr. Ndubuisi Okafor, the group says religion is a personal thing and should be treated as such, adding that in cosmopolitan areas like southern Nigeria, placing emphasis on religion or placing one religion above others will always lead to problems.
According to the statement, “It is discouraging to read in the news that the highly respected Sultan of Sokoto directed through his aides that Sharia laws be implemented in the Southwest, Southern Nigeria. This is really shocking, a big slap, and unacceptable.
“The South is cosmopolitan and welcomes all religions and there is no superiority of one over the other for the laws of one to prevail over the rest.
“The intention of such calls defies every logic because Nigeria is a secular State. Even though the Islamic establishment is forcing the hands of Nigeria on this issue, the secularity of the Southern States has never been in question.
“It is true that Islam is also practiced in parts of the South, but it is more generally practiced in the North. Yet not all the Northern States implement Sharia laws. So why the interest in directing its implementation in the South?
“Or is the desired and failed mission of enforcing Islam riddled with
Fulani expansionism and imperialism
down to the Atlantic Ocean at work once again? Or do they want to test the benefit of a joint Muslim ticket at the presidency?
“It’s not yet clear the benefit of the Sharia laws to those practicing it that today, with the level of poverty, illiteracy, and insecurity ravaging the North, the Northern Islamic establishment has time to be interested in destabilizing the South. Maybe the next mission would be to declare the Emirates in the South subservient to the Fulani Caliphate in Sokoto. The same tradition that prefers sending their foot soldiers with cattles deep into the forests and farms in other people’s lands, instead of introducing ranches and changing the rustic lifestyle, as modern day living demands,” he said.
The group urged those pushing for the introduction of sharia in the south to focus on better and generally acceptable initiatives that improve the quality of lives of Nigerians.
It also called on all the geopolitical zones in the south to be watchful and highly alert, not to welcome initiatives that put their people in endanger or enslave them.
“The Fulani establishment should indeed focus more on improving the quality of life of its people instead of looking for whom to conquer in this modern world.
“We all know that UAE is Islamic. Why not partner with highly progressive forces to improve the HDI among the Sharia-practicing Islamic North?
“The Southern Solidarity Alliance advises all the Southern zones to beware of the ploys and plots of the Fulani Caliphate, which is historically desperate to control areas that are even outside its authority and influence. Our traditional institutions, leaders of thought, and Southern State Governors should be on guard.
The reality of religion as a personal choice and practice should be respected by all”, it added.