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 The BBC's Barnaby Phillips"The next few days will be crucial"  real 28k  President Olusegun Obasanjo"We must rediscover the value of dialogue"  real 28k |
Nigerian states defiant on Sharia
Soldiers remain on standby in Kaduna
At least two northern Nigerian states say they will go ahead with plans to implement Islamic Sharia law - in defiance of the wishes of the federal government.
Zamfara and Sokoto states have indicated that they are standing by their decision to adopt the Islamic legal code.
Zamfara and Sokoto states have indicated that they are standing by their decision to adopt the Islamic legal code.
The federal government has no right to direct the state governments to suspend or rescind any laws  |
Former President Shagari
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The governments of Niger and Kebbi states are reported to have similar views.
Earlier this week, President Olusegun Obasanjo held an emergency meeting with the governors of Nigeria's 36 states, after which it was announced that Sharia law would no longer be implemented.
The meeting was held in response to heavy fighting between Christians and Muslims in Kaduna state, after the state proposed the introduction of Sharia.
'Volatile'
Zamfara has already begun to implement Sharia, while other states in the Muslim-dominated north have either signed Sharia into state law, or taken steps towards doing so.
Earlier this week, President Olusegun Obasanjo held an emergency meeting with the governors of Nigeria's 36 states, after which it was announced that Sharia law would no longer be implemented.
The meeting was held in response to heavy fighting between Christians and Muslims in Kaduna state, after the state proposed the introduction of Sharia.
'Volatile'
Zamfara has already begun to implement Sharia, while other states in the Muslim-dominated north have either signed Sharia into state law, or taken steps towards doing so.
 Hundreds of people died in Kaduna
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The former Nigerian President, Shehu Shagari, appears to have thrown his weight behind the pro-Sharia states, by saying the government was acting unconstitutionally in directing individual states to suspend Sharia.
"I must warn ... that the Sharia issue is a very volatile and delicate issue which must be handled with great care and statesmanship," he said.
Mr Shagari, himself an influential northerner, added that only the courts were competent to interpret the constitution.
The BBC's Barnaby Phillips in Lagos says Mr Shagari's intervention shows that many in the north are deeply unhappy with the suspension.
Kano fears
There is confusion over the position in the state of Kano, which includes northern Nigeria's largest city.
The city of Kano has a large minority Christian population and a history of sectarian conflict - prompting fears of violence should the state opt for Sharia law.
"I must warn ... that the Sharia issue is a very volatile and delicate issue which must be handled with great care and statesmanship," he said.
Mr Shagari, himself an influential northerner, added that only the courts were competent to interpret the constitution.
The BBC's Barnaby Phillips in Lagos says Mr Shagari's intervention shows that many in the north are deeply unhappy with the suspension.
Kano fears
There is confusion over the position in the state of Kano, which includes northern Nigeria's largest city.
The city of Kano has a large minority Christian population and a history of sectarian conflict - prompting fears of violence should the state opt for Sharia law.
 Christians oppose Islamic law
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It has emerged that the governor had already signed Sharia into law before this week's meeting with the president.
However, the governor's spokesman has said the subsequent agreement will be respected.
More than 1,000 people have died in 10 days of ethnic violence.
Up to 450 predominantly-Muslim ethnic Hausas were killed by mainly-Christian ethnic Ibos in the town of Aba at the start of the week.
Hundreds of Ibos died in the northern city of Kaduna last week.
There were also deaths in a number of other towns.
However, the governor's spokesman has said the subsequent agreement will be respected.
More than 1,000 people have died in 10 days of ethnic violence.
Up to 450 predominantly-Muslim ethnic Hausas were killed by mainly-Christian ethnic Ibos in the town of Aba at the start of the week.
Hundreds of Ibos died in the northern city of Kaduna last week.
There were also deaths in a number of other towns.
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