Prominent Ijaw political figure and former Niger Delta militant leader, Mujahid Asari Dokubo, has spoken on issues of religion, identity, and the application of Sharia law in Nigeria, stating that many Muslims in the country do not genuinely support the practice of Sharia as it is often publicly demanded.
Asari Dokubo made the remarks during a live session on his official Facebook page from 5:41 on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, where he addressed his religious background and broader concerns surrounding Islam and governance in Nigeria.
During the session, Dokubo disclosed that he has been a Muslim for several decades, while explaining his reluctance to publicly disclose specific personal details. “I am a Muslim, and I have become a Muslim since 1980 or thereabout. I don’t want to give the specific date because of some people,” he said.
He stated that he has faced hostility over the years, noting that such experiences predated his conversion to Islam. “People do not like me and have always been plotting for my end, even when I was in school and the university and my youth days and others, even before I changed my religion,” he added.
Speaking more broadly about global perceptions of Muslims, Dokubo said, “So the things that are stated all over the world, Muslims do not have the right to exist as Muslims. That is the conclusion of so many other people.” He referenced religious teachings, saying, “We have been told by the Quran, so this is nothing serious about it. There is nothing serious about it.”
During the live broadcast, Dokubo said he intended to raise specific issues related to governance and religion in Nigeria, particularly the implementation of Sharia law in northern states. “I am going to raise some issues, and one of them is the Sharia in the north,” he stated.
According to him, claims by some northern states regarding the adoption of Sharia law do not reflect the reality among the Muslim population. “Most of the northern states claim that they have passed the law permitting the practice of Sharia law,” he said.
He further asserted, “I can tell you for free, the majority of the Muslims do not even want Sharia law in Nigeria. They should not pretend.” Dokubo questioned what he described as contradictions between public calls for Sharia and personal conduct. “How would you want Sharia law? You drink. You are shouting Sharia, Sharia. You go somewhere, you drink,” he said.
He continued by listing practices he said were inconsistent with Sharia principles. “You commit Zina, you are doing Riba. You are taking from the orphans, and you are embezzling money from the coffers of the government, and you said you want Sharia.” See More
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