Yusufu Turaki, a prominent elder statesman and leader in Nigeria's Middle Belt, has stated that Nigeria cannot achieve lasting peace while some states continue to implement Sharia law. He attributed the persistent underdevelopment, conflicts, and social crises in the northern region to political geography and deep-rooted ethnic, religious, and regional divisions. According to Turaki, these divisions have created an environment where violence and extremism thrive, undermining national unity. He emphasized that deradicalising terrorists is a viable path to reintegrating former jihadists into society, including through military service, if deemed appropriate after rehabilitation. The academic called for a reevaluation of Nigeria's federal structure to address what he described as systemic imbalances that have marginalised certain groups. Turaki did not specify which states he believes should discontinue Sharia, but his comments come amid longstanding tensions between northern states that operate dual legal systems and southern regions that oppose religious law in governance. He urged national leaders to confront these structural issues to foster inclusive development and lasting peace. No timeline or policy recommendations were provided.
When Yusufu Turaki says Nigeria cannot have peace under Sharia, he is not just critiquing legal systems—he is challenging the foundation of post-independence nation-building. His call for deradicalisation and military integration of reformed jihadists suggests a shift from punishment to rehabilitation, but it also exposes the dilemma of legitimising former insurgents within state institutions. If peace requires dismantling religious legal frameworks, then the debate is no longer just about security—it's about whose values shape the nation. That conversation risks deepening divides unless it includes voices from the very communities he seeks to reform.
