Nationwide solidarity mounts for Sultan despite govt’s denials of deposition rumours

• TMC, MPAC, Muslim students pledge renewed allegiance

• Sultan of Sokoto is “de facto” first Muslim in Nigeria: Ogun Muslims

• Traditional institutions must be protected – Atiku

By Rasheed Abubakar

The alleged plot to remove the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III by the State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu has continued to generate condemnation from notable Muslim organisations in Nigeria.

On Monday, an Islamic human rights organisation, Muslim Rights Concerns (MURIC) first raised concerns about an alleged plan by the Sokoto State Governor to depose the Sultan of Sokoto, who doubles as the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA.

However, the Governor in a swift reaction on Tuesday, denied the story, saying that the state government has no plan whatsoever to dethrone the revered monarch, just as he described the allegation by MURIC as false and baseless.

Despite denial, MURIC in another press release issued on Wednesday, insisted that the Sultan is still being targeted for deposition.

Prof. Ishaq Akintola, the Executive Director of MURIC, said a bill called Sokoto Emirate Council Amendment Bill has passed through the first and second readings and if passed into law, the Sultan of Sokoto will be stripped of certain powers.

Many Muslim organisations in Nigeria aren’t taking lightly the allegation of a revered personality considered the Amirul Muminneen (the leader of the Muslim faithful in Nigeria).

They described the alleged plot as a misplaced priority, a daydream, and an affront to the sanctity of traditional leadership and institutions, undermining Nigerian Islamic leadership.

We reaffirm our unwavering support for Sultan’s continued reign: MPAC

“As members of the Muslim community which he also leads, we wholeheartedly condemn such treacherous actions and reaffirm our unwavering support for His Eminence’s continued reign and service to the nation at large,” said Mal. Disu Kamor, the Executive Chairman of Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) Nigeria.

Disu, in a statement, said the Sultan’s wise leadership and dedication to the Sultanate, a two century-old throne founded by his ancestor, Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio (1754–1817), and Nigerian Muslims, the enviable roles he has played over a decade to drive peaceful relations amongst people of different ethnicities and faiths and his standing as a powerful leader and voice for peace, reason and reconciliation are unparalleled.

According to him, The Sultan has tirelessly served Sokoto State and the nation with wisdom, compassion, and strength, earning the love and respect of his people, the Ummah, Nigerians and the global community. Any attempts to usurp or transfer power would be a grave threat to our stability and well-being as a nation.

“We will not be swayed by treacherous whispers nor intimidated by threats of any politician. In shaa Allah, the Sultan’s reign will continue, and his rule will endure, be strong and unbroken. We urge all Sokoto citizens and the entire Nigerian Muslims to remain loyal and vigilant, rejecting any false allegations or deceitful schemes. Let us stand united in our support for our Sultan and the continued prosperity and stability of Sokoto State.”

We stand by Sultan, renew our allegiance – TMC declares

Similarly, The Muslim Congress (TMC) has declared its support for Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, highlighting the Sultan’s pivotal role as a unifying figure for all Muslims in Nigeria.

TMC emphasised its renewed allegiance to the Sultan as the leader of Nigerian Muslims, asserting that any attempt to depose him undermines the authority of Muslims in Nigeria.

In a statement by the Waali of the Muslim Congress in Ogun State, Dr. Abdulrazaq Ogunmoye, the organisation supports MURIC’s recommendation that the Sokoto State House of Assembly amend the chieftaincy law to exempt the Sultan from being deposed by the Governor.

Due to the sensitivity of the Sultan’s position, TMC also recommended that the Sokoto State Government should not be responsible for paying the Sultan’s salary and those of his aides. The group called for financial autonomy for the Sultan to enable him to perform his leadership roles effectively.

TMC proposed two models for financing the Sultan’s office: first, making the allocation to the office of the Sultan a first-line charge directly paid by the Federal Government either from state or local government allocations; second, removing government financing of the Sultan and instead, establishing a special trust fund or financial special purpose vehicle managed by the Muslim community to support the office of the President of NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto.

The organization warned politicians against involving spiritual leaders in political battles and advised them to heed the counsel of traditional rulers.

TMC reiterated the need for traditional rulers to have a constitutional role to positively contribute to Nigeria’s development.

“Without prejudice to Nigeria’s status as a multi-religious and not secular state, it is not out of place to give constitutional responsibilities to Islamic leaders to address the trust deficit and moral issues in our society,” Dr. Ogunmoye stated.

Sultan of Sokoto is the “de facto” first Muslim in Nigeria: Ogun Muslims

Reacting to the now-refuted story that has unsettled the Muslim community and the nation, the Secretary-General of the Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC), Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde, ESQ, berated and denounced the attempt.

Alhaji Akintunde, a former National President of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO) described the push as despicable, ignominious, and a ploy to undermine the revered position of traditional Muslim leadership in the country.

Highlighting the prominence of the Sultan as the head of the Nigerian “Ummah” (Muslim Community), Akintunde stated that the Sultan of Sokoto is the “de facto” first Muslim in Nigeria, hence his titles: “Amirul-Mumineen” and “Sarkin Muslimin” (in certain parlances).

He noted that the Sultan’s leadership of the Nigerian Muslim community is signified by his role as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

The Ogun Muslim Council Secretary-General contended that the exalted position of the Sultan represents national and international eminence and prestige which cannot be ignored or underestimated under any guise or circumstance.

Akintunde asserted that the present Sultan was God-chosen and the most traveled, building bridges across religious and ethnic boundaries.

He described the Sultan as a nationalist and a patriot whose words of wisdom and valued contributions to national affairs are profound, valued, and impactful.

Counseling the Sokoto legislature to prioritize people-oriented statutes over unpopular and unwarranted actions, the former NACOMYO President implored the Sokoto State government, particularly the Governor, to eschew prejudice and bigotry and avoid being influenced by self-serving leaders seeking to settle personal scores at the expense of overriding concerns and priorities.

Meanwhile, the OMC Chief Scribe commended Vice President Shettima for his warning to the Sokoto State government over its denied action.

According to Akintunde, the Vice President’s charge underscored the Yoruba proverb, “Elders will not be in the market and allow a child’s head to bend.”

He also lauded the Sokoto government for its bold, yet timely refutation of the rumor, noting it as a welcome development that will foster goodwill, harmony, cordiality, and collaboration for a progressive “City of Caliphate.”

Akintunde, who also serves as the Ogun State Coordinator of the Muslim Media Watch Group (MMWG), recalled a similar incident during the era of a military government which saw the 18th Sultan of Sokoto, the late Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, being deposed. He enjoined the people of Sokoto State and the Nigerian Muslim “Ummah” to remain calm, peaceful, law-abiding, and harmonious, urging all to exercise restraint and caution over the unsettling incident.

In the meantime, an appeal has gone out to the Muslim populace to embrace the call for supplication and fasting as a spiritual antidote to current challenges.

According to the Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) Secretary-General, such efforts, coupled with changed attitudes and ethical behaviour, remain vital for achieving cohesion, unity, and progress.

The OMC scribe also called on various governments and stakeholders in the health and environmental sectors to step up efforts to contain the spread of cholera ravaging the country.

He emphasized the need for people to practice food hygiene, environmental sanitation, and to consume water from safe sources to prevent contracting cholera.

Any attempt to remove Sultan of Sokoto diminishes profound respect for his office: Muslim students’ body

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit has strongly condemned any attempt to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, saying any attempt to remove the traditional Islamic ruler through political manoeuvres diminishes the profound respect for his office and a means to destabilise Islamic leadership in Nigeria.

The President (Amir) of MSSNLagos, Kamoldeen Abiona, in a statement issued on Wednesday, stated that Abubakar III’s decades of service as the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) have fostered unity and guidance for our community.

He said, “The Sultan’s leadership extends far beyond the political sphere. He is a cherished symbol of Islam in Nigeria, a promoter of interfaith dialogue, and a voice of reason during times of difficulty. To disrespect his position is to disrespect the very fabric of the Nigerian Muslim society.

“Though the Sokoto State Government has reportedly refuted these rumours and reaffirmed their respect for the Sultanate, it is important to re-emphasise that Nigerian Muslims deserve peace and stability as guaranteed by the Sultan. We, the Muslim students, stand united in our support for the Sultan and the important role he plays in our community.

“We urge those in authority to prioritise peace and stability. We call upon all parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue that honours the Sultan’s legacy and ensures the well-being of the Muslim community.”

Traditional institutions must be protected – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed concern over the growing influence of state governments in distorting the processes of enthroning traditional rulers.

In a statement released on Tuesday via X, Atiku highlighted the importance of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s governance structure and called for their protection from arbitrary state interference.

“Recent developments in the country have seen a growing tendency of state governments exerting influence in distorting the modalities of enthroning traditional stools,” Abubakar stated.

He acknowledged that while traditional rulership falls under state government purview, these institutions play a crucial role in governance and community stability.

“And thus, traditional institutions must be protected from the arbitrariness of state governments that threaten their stability,” Atiku declared.

Abubakar emphasised the significance of traditional rulers in maintaining peace and order, stating, “When the structure of ascension of traditional rulers is unstable, it will become equally difficult to maintain peace and orderliness in communities.”

The former Vice President pointed out that despite the lack of constitutional recognition, traditional institutions perform vital roles in the economic life and security of their domains.

He added that “the traditional institutions formed the governance structures before the advent of the colonialists. And they governed well.”

Abubakar advocated for constitutional reform to recognise and define the responsibilities of traditional institutions.