A controversial video circulating online has sparked nationwide debate after former Zamfara State Governor and prominent Sharia advocate, Ahmad Sani Yerima, was quoted as saying that his goal is to “make Nigeria an Islamic country” and ensure that “Sharia law supersedes every other law.”
The comments, shared widely across social media platforms, have triggered strong reactions from civil society groups, legal experts, and citizens who argue that such statements undermine Nigeria’s constitutional status as a secular state.
Yerima, known for introducing Sharia law in Zamfara State in 1999, has not yet issued an official statement confirming or clarifying the context of the viral clip. However, several political commentators have called on security agencies and relevant authorities to verify the authenticity of the footage and the claims attributed to him.
Advocates for constitutional governance stressed that Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution explicitly guarantees freedom of religion and establishes the country as a secular state, making any proposal to impose a single religious legal system unconstitutional.
Opposition voices have also urged political leaders to avoid making statements that could inflame religious tension in an already fragile national atmosphere.
As the video continues to circulate, Nigerians await an official response from Yerima and his associates, while calls grow for restraint, verification, and responsible public discourse.
