Recent deadly attacks in Kwara heinous, killers will face God’s wrath — Prof Abbas, MUSWEN Executive Secretary

Wole Abbas, a Professor of Islamic Studies, is the Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria. He speaks with SAHEED SALAWU on some issues affecting the Nigerian polity.

Congratulations on your recent appointment as MUSWEN Executive Secretary. Looking back, would you say the group has justified the objectives for setting it up?

Thank you. Yes, our objectives, right from inauguration in 2008, are being met. We realise that people have long awaited an umbrella body, and therefore its acceptability was easily realised. The six states that constitute its constituency now meet regularly, speak with one voice and solve problems together. Many leading Islamic organisations, together with Muslim communities in these states, work collaboratively. The respective governments of these states recognise MUSWEN and give their support.

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria recently called for the removal and prosecution of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, accusing him of compromised integrity over a legal brief in which he reportedly acknowledged claims of persecution and genocide against Christians in Nigeria. Does MUSWEN share the same sentiment with the Shari’ah Council?

An institution like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is critical to the survival of democracy in Nigeria. Such an institution must not be corrupted. Therefore, the head of INEC must be a person of high integrity and should be acceptable to all Nigerians. Anything short of that is unacceptable. Regarding Professor Amupitan, since he has acknowledged his involvement in such a heinous act and, as a Professor of Law, he should resign or be sacked. The call for his removal is not only from the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria; other notable individuals and organisations have similarly called for his removal from office. Nigeria, at this time, needs a person who can be trusted to conduct a credible election. The Qur’an in Chapter 5, Verse 8, enjoins justice in all human dealings and instructs that we should not let hatred of a people prevent us from acting equitably. It is not easy for Muslims in Nigeria to trust Professor Amupitan’s electoral judgment, having offended their sensibilities. Therefore, he should honourably bow out to save his face.

Nigeria will be having its general elections next year. What is your message to Muslims in the South West, which is the primary constituency of MUSWEN? What does MUSWEN make of President Bola Tinubu’s performance and will the organisation give him the same amount of support it accorded him in 2023?

Muslims in the South West should thoroughly examine candidates’ integrity and ability to deliver the dividends of democracy. They should look for and vote for those who will take care of their religion. We all own Nigeria, and its wealth should be equitably distributed. Aside from that, Muslims should no longer allow themselves to be discriminated against in terms of religion, admission to schools and employment. Anyone with such tendencies should not be voted for.

Muslims should obtain their voters’ cards and engage in civic duties in a lawful manner and without violence of any sort.

President Tinubu has performed creditably in his first term. The pains we are going through now are inevitable and there are signs of great hope in the not-too-distant future. The overwhelming support he is receiving now, particularly from opposition parties, is a testament to his governance. Muslims in the South West will accord him more support in 2027 than we did in 2023. If people from other geopolitical zones lend support to him as we are seeing, we are happy and, in sha Allah, he will win by a greater margin this time around.

What messages do you have for the government at the centre and the opposition?

My message to the government and the opposition is that both should play the game according to the rules and regulations. Governance is service to humanity and, in this case, to Nigerians. No party should be seen as the enemy of the other. People in different parties have, at one time or another, belonged to the same party. We have witnessed in this country the alignment and realignment of political parties, and it shall continue unabated. Therefore, the promotion of enmity does not benefit anyone at the end of the day. To me, politics is a game and should be played with decorum and decency. The government should ensure that the people they govern are treated fairly.

When you look at the lot of the Muslim Ummah in South West, what is the thing that troubles you?

I am troubled that Muslims in the South West are not given their deserved rights despite being in a clear majority. We suffer in almost all areas of human endeavour. We are the poorest in the region in terms of education and material wealth. We have the largest enrollment at the primary level of education, but as students progress to secondary and tertiary levels, the numbers thin out. That is a problem that must be addressed, and MUSWEN is trying to arrest the situation. Islam is not averse to education; rather, it encourages it and makes it mandatory for Muslim males and females. In fact, the first three universities in the world were founded by Muslims.

Where does MUSWEN stand on President Tinubu’s new tax policies?

MUSWEN as a body has not discussed this subject. As an individual, I see tax as a legitimate service that individuals have a duty to render to the government. Globally, tax is used to provide amenities for the citizenry. If tax is accurately levied on individuals based on their income, it is acceptable. It is generally known in Nigeria that only government workers and employees of private companies are made to pay tax. Many wealthy individuals are alleged to dodge tax payments or underpay taxes. If the current government is serious about it and avoids double taxation, it is legitimate. The hue and cry about it reflect our usual fear of change and suspicion that the government has decided to shortchange its citizens.

My personal view is that we should give the government a chance and have confidence in it. On its part, the government should be sincere in its operations. As Muslims, we must also pay Zakat annually for those qualified to do so. It is a pillar in Islam, and the Qur’an in Chapter 9, Verse 103 mandates its payment. The same chapter, Verse 60, even specifies its recipients. So, there is nothing abnormal in paying tax, as long as it benefits the payers.

The recent attacks on a Muslim community in Kwara State by terrorists claiming to be Muslims must be a cause of concern to all Muslim groups and leaders in the country, including MUSWEN. What do you think is the way out of this crisis?

The act is certainly a serious concern to all true Muslims in Nigeria and beyond. This is so because of the sacredness of human life. Going by the accounts available to me, the attacks were carried out by Muslim extremists. It is, by all means, a heinous crime before Allah. I even heard that some of the victims were killed in the mosque while performing Salat. Allah has condemned the intentional killing of a Mu’min to hellfire (Q4:93). No one is allowed by the Almighty to force his beliefs on others (Q2:256). Those who engage in the willful killing of others will certainly taste Allah’s wrath. The killing of a soul is likened to killing the entire human race, just as saving a soul is like saving the entire human race (Q5:32).

What is your view on the state of the nation?

Nigeria is a large nation with diverse tribes and ethnic nationalities. It is difficult in such a country to have the same opinion or think in the same way. We are therefore bound to have differences, and I believe that is where our strength lies. Our size should be an advantage. Larger countries like China, India, Pakistan, the USA and Russia use their size to develop. We cannot continue to be big for nothing. Rather, we should go back to the drawing board and fashion out a good orientation that will engender patriotism, and we will be better for it. Those who always call for disintegration should examine its consequences. God, who has put us together, has a purpose.

As the Executive Secretary, what is your agenda for MUSWEN with regard to focus and priorities?

We must have a solid financial base to drive all the lofty programmes we have set before us. We have had about five retreats where programmes and projects were suggested, debated and perfected. We are blessed with brilliant people who are experts in all areas of human endeavour. What we require now is funding to actualise these dreams. Once we are able to finance them, the Muslims of the South West will be envied by other regions. Our priorities are education, health and empowerment.

Where do you see MUSWEN in the next five years?

MUSWEN should, by the grace of Allah, in five years’ time, be a household name in the South West and Nigeria. We should be able to finance our projects without hindrance and should have advanced politically and economically.

Who is Professor Wole Abbas?

Professor Wole Abbas is a Professor of Islamic Studies in the area of Islamic Law and jurisprudence. He attended the University of Ibadan, where he obtained his BA in 1981, MA in 1985 and PhD in 2004.

He was a programme producer at the Television Service of Oyo State (TSOS) (1982–1985); a Lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Federal College of Education (Special, Oyo) (1985–1986); and a Lecturer in Islamic Studies at St. Andrew’s College of Education, Oyo (1986–1999), where he also served as Head of the Department of Islamic Studies (1986–1995). He joined the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan (1999–2025) and served as Head of Department (2019–2023). He became Professor of Islamic Studies in 2016 and delivered his inaugural lecture on August 15, 2024.

He retired at the age of 70 on March 7, 2025. He has a wife, children and grandchildren.