The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has issued a strong rebuke against external pressure, particularly from United States-linked figures, calling for the abolition of Shariah law in Nigeria. The Islamic advocacy group declared Shariah a non-negotiable aspect of Muslim life and a constitutional right that will be fiercely defended.
MURIC Questions Motives Behind US-Linked Calls
The organisation's firm stance was a direct reaction to comments made by Dr. Ebenezer Obadare, a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. During a congressional briefing related to Nigeria's designation as a Country of Particular Concern, Obadare reportedly urged the US government to pressure President Bola Tinubu's administration to outlaw Shariah and the Hisbah police.
In a statement released on December 5, 2025, MURIC's Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, condemned the suggestion as unacceptable foreign interference. He asserted that such calls crossed a fundamental boundary, describing Shariah as a legal and constitutional framework that Nigerian Muslims had fought hard to establish and protect.
A Defense of Sovereignty and Religious Practice
Professor Akintola framed the issue as a matter of national sovereignty, questioning the underlying intentions of the United States. He raised pointed concerns about whether America was genuinely committed to assisting Nigeria in its fight against terrorism or if it was seeking to undermine Islam through such proposals.
"Surrendering the country’s sovereignty to foreign pressure was unacceptable," Akintola stated. He warned that any attempt to tamper with Shariah would be interpreted by the Muslim community as a direct attack on their faith. The MURIC leader accused some domestic Christian voices of leveraging foreign platforms to reignite opposition to Islamic law, a strategy he labeled as an attempt to achieve through external influence what had not been possible through Nigeria's own democratic processes.
Warning of Resistance and Call for Constitutional Respect
Akintola issued a clear warning that Nigerian Muslims would actively resist any local or international effort to dismantle what he termed a "hard-earned institution." He clarified that the Muslim community continues to support the federal government's efforts against extremist groups, but this support is contingent on a clear distinction between combating terrorism and interfering in legitimate religious practice.
He described Obadare's call as "mischievous and reactionary," carrying an imperialistic tone that has no place in a modern democratic society. Akintola emphasized that all conversations regarding Shariah must remain firmly within the bounds of Nigeria's constitution and must demonstrate respect for the nation's religious diversity.
This latest statement from MURIC follows previous criticisms directed at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for its characterization of the nation's security challenges. The group maintains that framing the situation as a "Christian genocide" and inviting foreign intervention poses a significant threat to national stability.
