Islamic human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has declared support for the proposal to kick-start Sharia law in the southwest region of the country.
MURIC's director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, made the stance of the group known in a statement on Saturday.
Professor Akintola specifically warned the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) to mind its own business.
He was reacting to a warning issued by the PFN on Thursday, May 27 rejecting any move by any group to introduce Sharia law to the southwest region through the ongoing constitutional review being carried out by the Senate.
Part of the statement read:
“The Constitution Review Panel asked Nigerians to forward their views regarding what they want in the constitution. Each group is supposed to submit its needs.
“But instead of telling the panel what the Christians want, PFN has gone ahead to say what they do not want Muslims to ask for. It is an attempt to gag Muslims in the southwest and it will not work.
“MURIC warns the PFN and its co-travellers to steer clear of the path of Muslims in the southwest. The demand for Shariah is a civil rights matter. It is a demand for change, a demand for the status quo.
“It has nothing to do with Christians. We will use every peaceful and constitutional means available to attain this objective. We declare a caveat emptor in Shariah-related matters. PFN should mind its own business. No retreat, no surrender.”
Recall that PFN called on the National Assembly to avoid being influenced to approve the enactment of Sharia law in the southwest.
According to the religious organisation, the entire nation will go through another round of serious crises if the Islamic legal system finds its way into the Nigerian constitution.
PFN's president, Bishop Wale Oke, advised the legislature not to be susceptible to evil-minded fellows whose aim is to further ruin the country.
Similarly, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has warned the Senate against bringing injunctions and practices of any religion in the country into Nigeria’s constitution.
CAN President, Rev Samson Ayokunle gave the warning on Thursday, May 27, during the valedictory service held for him as the Visitor to Bowen University, Iwo.
According to Ayokunle, Nigeria's secularity must be maintained as enshrined in the constitution.