A Coalition of Muslim organisations have called on the Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu, to strengthen and protect the Sultanate Council under the leadership of Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, adding that the leader of the Muslims in country should be protected from politics and government’s control.
Spokesperson of the Coalition and President of Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, MMPN, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated this at a press conference held in Abuja, Thursday.
Several Muslim organisations including the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) recently raised alarm over the deteriorating relationship between the Sokoto state government and the Sultan of Sokoto, with allegation of impending dethronement of the Monarch and leader of Muslims in Nigeria.
Just yesterday, Thursday July 11, 2024, the governor of the state assented to six new laws, including the amended Sokoto Local Government and Chieftaincy Law, which generated controversy across the country.
The new laws strip the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, of the power to appoint district and village heads in the state. The governor maintained that the new laws were not for witch-hunt of any individual or group but to strengthen good governance in the state, adding that the tension created by the proposal was unnecessary as it was politically motivated.
Balogun added that the Sultan should be immune and insulated from dethronement and government control, noting that by so doing, history would be lenient and kind to Governor Aliyu and his name would be written in gold.
He said, “Governor Ahmad Aliyu should not only strengthen and reinforce the power and influence of Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and the Sultanate but also build on the legacies of past administrations in empowering the Sultan by making him the true leader of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.
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“What we expect the Sokoto State government and Governor Ahmad Aliyu to do is to further strengthen and reinforce the power and influence of Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and the Sultanate.”
Balogun added that, “Governor Ahmad Aliyu should build on the legacies of past administrations in empowering Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, and make him a true Sarki of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria. He (Sultan) should be protected from the control of politics, power and government.”
“This eminent and illustrious son of Sokoto, who is a symbol of global peace and unity, is not only a pride to the Nigerian Muslim Ummah but has also been a pride to the global Muslim community. We appeal to Governor Ahmad Aliyu and his administration to preserve the revered seat of the Sultan and to avoid any political brigandage that will demean or reduce the influence and authority of the Sultan.
“The Governor should prevent the rumoured dethronement, which we believe will affect the peace in Sokoto and gravely affect the Muslim Ummah of this nation. This political jingoism is capable of bringing the Muslim Ummah of this nation into disrepute as well as returning to the dark old days of Northern and Southern Muslim dichotomy. It will not do the Muslims in this country any good, nor the good people of Sokoto State.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prevail on Governor Ahmad Aliyu and his government to halt whatever plans they have as long as that will lead to diminishing the power and influence of the Sultan, or worse still, lead to his dethronement.”
While answering questions from journalists, a member of the coalition, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, while answering question on why some traditional rulers involve themselves in politics, said, “Traditional Rulers have never portrayed themselves as politicians, unfortunately the role of father-to-all that they have always being playing in the society has been misunderstood and tagged as partisanship.”
Arowona added that, “Most of our royal fathers have very rich backgrounds that can better solve the problems confronting the nation.
“Over the years, they’ve contributed to the success of many government policies due to their closeness to the people. They are the custodians of the culture and historical heritage of the people. They’ve participated in many constitutional conferences and added so much values to the outcomes generated from the gathering. Many monarchs have spent up to 20 to 40years on throne.
“We cannot afford to watch, while the traditional institution is being ridiculed. We urge the Sokoto State government to protect the Sultan and strengthen his powers.”
