Tensions Rise as Okun Man’s Pro-Jihad Remarks Spark Outrage in Yoruba Community
A recent online discussion has ignited controversy within the Yoruba community after an Okun man from Kogi State, who claims stronger ties to his Fulani heritage, made inflammatory remarks perceived as a threat to Yoruba people.
During an X Space discussion titled “No Space for Hate Mongering in Nigeria,” the individual, identified as Abbey, asserted that “it’s time for Jihad conversation to start,” a statement that has raised concerns about the intent behind his words. His comments, laced with threats and intimidation, were directed particularly at Yoruba conservatives, whom he accused of opposing the rights of Muslims to practice Islam due to their rejection of Sharia law in the Southwest.
Abbey’s Controversial Remarks
Abbey criticized the Yoruba people, alleging that they had become intolerant toward Islam. He stated:
“When you now have a particular tribe, and I keep saying it, Yoruba tribe fell so horribly. I don’t know where we got it wrong, but I am ashamed that I even have traces of Yoruba heritage.”
He further described Yoruba non-Muslims as “the most intolerant human beings,” arguing that their resistance to Sharia law proves their prejudice against Islam. He compared the plight of Muslims in the Southwest to that of Palestinians under Israeli occupation, accusing Yoruba leaders of suppressing Islamic practices.
“This is where Jihad conversation comes about. Your right to practice your religion is being threatened. That is why you are admonished, that is the only thing you should fight.”
Abbey also targeted key Yoruba traditional rulers, including the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife, warning that they were not beyond criticism. He accused Yoruba elites of fueling hostility against Islam and declared that he does not need Yoruba votes, affirming that if he ever ran for office, it would be in Kogi State.
Reactions and Backlash
His remarks have been widely condemned as hate speech, with many viewing them as a direct threat to Nigeria’s ethnic and religious harmony.
On Thursday, the Society for Yoruba Culture Renaissance strongly opposed the establishment of Sharia law and arbitration panels in Oyo, Ekiti, and other southwestern states. In a statement made available to SaharaReporters, the group emphasized that Sharia is foreign to Yoruba society and could disrupt peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths.
The controversy follows the recent establishment of an Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel in Ekiti State, which held its first public sitting at the Oja Oba Central Mosque in Ado-Ekiti. The Ekiti State Government quickly responded, stating that the state’s legal framework does not recognize Sharia Courts or independent arbitration panels.
However, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, defended the initiative, citing Section 275 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which permits the establishment of Sharia Courts in states that choose to implement them. The NSCIA urged southern governors and traditional leaders to uphold the constitutional rights of Muslims in their domains.
In response, the Society for Yoruba Culture Renaissance accused the Sultan of attempting to incite religious conflict by advocating for Sharia implementation in a predominantly non-Muslim region. The group reaffirmed that Sharia is an Arabic cultural practice meant for societies with a dominant Muslim population, not for Yorubaland.
Growing Ethno-Religious Tensions
The incident has further heightened religious and ethnic tensions in Nigeria, as debates over the place of Sharia law in the Southwest continue. With strong reactions from both Islamic and Yoruba cultural groups, the controversy underscores the deep-rooted sensitivities surrounding religion and governance in Nigeria’s diverse landscape.
Observers warn that such inflammatory rhetoric, as expressed in Abbey’s remarks, risks deepening societal divisions and threatening national unity. Calls for dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to Nigeria’s secular constitution are growing, as stakeholders seek ways to prevent further escalation.
“It’s Time We Start Preaching Jihad in Yorubaland” Kogi Jihadist threatens Yoruba people over Sharia law
February 01, 2025
A recent online discussion has raised concern among the Yoruba community, as an Okun man, who identifies himself as a non-Yoruba, made threatening comments… pic.twitter.com/PXtuToq6Zp
— The Yoruba Times (@TheYorubaTimes) February 1, 2025