November 17, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has sounded a stern warning that any effort to introduce Sharia law in Igboland could lead to widespread civil unrest. The senator raised the alarm following allegations that certain groups, in collaboration with Northern interests, were plotting to impose Sharia law in the predominantly Christian South East region of Nigeria.
Speaking on the matter, Abaribe said that some interests have been holding secret meetings with individuals in the South East, seeking to mobilize support for a campaign to introduce Sharia law in the region. “Any such attempt is a call for civil war,” he cautioned, emphasizing the potential consequences of undermining the region’s religious and cultural balance.
The South East is home to a very small Muslim population, largely concentrated around Izombe in Imo State. Historical tensions surrounding Islamic practices in the area date back to the early 1990s, when the construction of a mosque in the community triggered violent uprisings, which were subsequently quelled by the military. Analysts note that such incidents demonstrate the fragility of religious coexistence in the region and the high stakes involved in any move to expand Islamic legal frameworks there.
Abaribe’s warning highlights longstanding concerns over religious and ethnic sensitivities in Nigeria’s South East. Observers say that attempts to impose Sharia in areas where it is not constitutionally recognized for the majority population could exacerbate existing grievances and destabilize the region.
The senator’s statement also comes amid broader debates over the implementation of Sharia law in Nigeria, where several Northern states already operate under Islamic legal frameworks. While Sharia is constitutionally recognized for Muslims in criminal and civil matters in some Northern states, attempts to extend it beyond these areas have historically provoked controversy and, in some cases, violence.
Abaribe called on both local and federal authorities to remain vigilant, stressing the need for dialogue and constitutional safeguards to prevent the escalation of tensions. “Religious freedom and peaceful coexistence must be preserved,” he said, “and any action that threatens the stability of our communities should be firmly rejected.”
The South East has historically been predominantly Christian, with religious minorities concentrated in specific areas. Political observers warn that introducing Sharia in such a context without broad-based consultation could ignite conflict, undermine trust in governance, and inflame existing ethnic and religious divisions.
