A prominent Islamic scholar in Bauchi State, Dan Malikin Bauchi, Alhaji Aminu Mohammed, has strongly condemned recent calls by some Nigerian Christian activists for the abolition of Sharia law in the country, describing such demands as “misguided and unacceptable.”
Speaking at a press conference in Bauchi, Mohammed emphasized that Sharia law poses no threat to the unity or stability of Nigeria. He insisted that its strength lies not merely in its judicial provisions but in its comprehensive moral and legal framework, which upholds justice, equity, due process, protection of life and property, human dignity, checks on the powers of leaders, fair commercial conduct, and the rights of the weak against the strong.
According to Mohammed, the attempts by certain Christian activists to discredit Sharia before a joint session of the American Congress were largely driven by fear, misinformation, political motives, and emotion, rather than by facts, history, or lived realities.
“On behalf of practicing Nigerian Muslims, who form the majority in this country, I totally condemn this act by those Christian groups seeking to create unnecessary tension between Muslims and Christians,” he stated.
Mohammed recalled a previous instance where, in his view, Christian representatives allegedly misinformed the US Congress about a supposed genocide against Christians in Nigeria — a claim he described as unfounded. He warned that similar efforts to malign Islam and Sharia law would also fail.
“Let the Christian activists understand that Muslims will never accept a system of governance in Nigeria that excludes Sharia, which does not in any way infringe on the rights of Christians and is clearly protected under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Mohammed asserted.
He further explained that Sharia law, as practiced in Northern Nigeria, applies strictly to Muslims and has gained recognition internationally — including by US legal institutions — as a respected legal tradition. Mohammed highlighted the importance of respect, informed dialogue, and a balanced understanding of Sharia, emphasizing its constitutional legitimacy, its long-standing record of justice, and its contributions to global civilisation and peace.
Broader Context: Sharia in Nigeria
Calls to abolish Sharia have recently gained attention, with some activists framing the issue as part of a broader push to uphold secular governance and protect the rights of religious minorities. Critics argue that the inclusion of Sharia provisions in the 1999 Constitution — particularly Sections 260–264, 275–279, and 277(1) — conflicts with the secular ideals of the Nigerian state.
Dr. Ebenezer Obadare, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, recently urged the US Congress to pressure Nigeria into outlawing Sharia and dismantling religious-police institutions such as the Hisbah. These calls have been framed by some as an effort to ensure a uniform legal system, safeguard human rights, and promote equality across religious communities.
However, Mohammed and other pro-Sharia advocates maintain that Sharia is a constitutionally protected system. They stress that it applies only to consenting Muslims, contributes to social order, and preserves ethical, moral, and civil values that benefit society at large.
Muslim organisations, including the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), have condemned both external and internal pressures to dismantle Sharia, warning that attempts to do so would alienate Nigeria’s Muslim population and disrupt interfaith harmony. MURIC described Obadare’s appeal as “mischievous, reactionary, and outlandish,” emphasizing that Sharia is a core aspect of Muslim identity, faith, and governance.
The Tension Between Secularism and Religious Legal Identity
At the heart of the debate lies the broader tension between secularist ideals and Nigeria’s plural legal-religious identity. Opponents of Sharia advocate for a uniform legal system, arguing that it ensures equal rights for all citizens.
Meanwhile, pro-Sharia voices argue that allowing Muslims to live under a legal framework aligned with their faith is a constitutionally guaranteed right and does not infringe upon the rights of other religious communities.
Mohammed’s remarks underscore this perspective, stressing that Sharia is not just a religious or punitive system but a comprehensive legal tradition that ensures justice, protects the vulnerable, and promotes societal harmony.
Constitutional Legitimacy and Social Contribution
According to the Bauchi scholar, Sharia law in Nigeria enjoys both constitutional legitimacy and practical relevance. He highlighted that it has a long-standing record of justice, contributes to global legal and moral civilisation, and plays a key role in safeguarding communal harmony.
He reiterated that Sharia, as implemented in Northern Nigeria, applies only to Muslims and has been internationally acknowledged as a respected legal tradition. He emphasized that attempts to abolish Sharia would be a violation of the rights of Muslims and a direct challenge to the federal structure of Nigeria, which allows states to adopt Sharia courts for their populations.
Moving Forward
The debate over Sharia law reflects the complex challenge Nigeria faces in balancing religious freedom, human rights, constitutional provisions, and national unity. Mohammed’s firm stance reflects the sentiment of many Nigerian Muslims: that Sharia law is an integral part of their identity and governance framework, and that calls for its abolition are both unacceptable and misinformed.
As Nigeria navigates these tensions, respectful dialogue, informed understanding, and acknowledgment of Sharia’s contributions to law, ethics, and social stability remain essential to maintain interfaith peace and constitutional harmony.
