* Seeks Tinubu’s intervention against deposition move
The coalition of 33 Muslim organisations and human rights in Nigeria has called on the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, to respect the revered position of the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III.
Abdur-Rahman Balogun, National President, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) who spoke on behalf of the Muslim Community at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, July 11, said the recent development in Sokoto is a grave concern and utmost importance.
He said that the alleged plot by the Government of Sokoto State to depose, undermine the influence and authority of the revered Sultan by tampering with the laws regulating the administration of the Sultanate, will not be in the best interest of Sokoto State, its government and the Muslims at large.
In his words: “Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, being the spiritual head of more than 150 million Muslims in Nigeria, Niger, Mali and other places, is a symbol of unity, wisdom, and leadership, and he has been a beacon of hope and guidance for our people. His deposition would not only be a travesty of justice but also a threat to the very fabric of our society.
Balogun recalled that despite the intervention of the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the Government of Sokoto, Governor Aliyu denied, yet continued the process of a Bill for the Amendment of Sultanate Council Law in the State House of Assembly.
He highlighted that the presence of the Sultan in Sokoto made Sokoto the Makkah of Nigerian Muslim leaders from all the geo-political zones.
“Very important personalities in the country visit Sokoto to pay homage to this great Muslim leader and the government of Sokoto state. Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, has made the Sultanate a celebrated seat, a pride and reference to the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and beyond. He has successfully amalgamated the Northern and Southern Muslim dichotomy that today Muslims from all over the country can proudly say, we have a leader,” he noted.
The Muslim Community advised the Governor to build on the legacies of past administrations in empowering the Sultan and make him a true Sarki of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.
The group, however called on President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to intervene by ensuring that the 200 years old Sultanate is protected from the control of politics, power and government.
FULL STATEMENT ###
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent,the Merciful
Being a text of the Press Conference by the Coalition of some Muslim Organisations in Nigeria to rally support for the Amirul Mumini of Nigeria, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) in Abuja on Thursday July 11, 2024 (5th Muharram 1456 A.H).
Protocols:
Gentlemen of the Press,
Allah says: Say: “O Allah! Lord of Power (And Rule), Thou givest power to whom Thou pleasest, and Thou strippest off power from whom Thou pleasest: Thou enduest with honour whom Thou pleasest, and Thou bringest low whom Thou pleasest: In Thy hand is all good. Verily, over all things Thou hast power.””, Qur’an 3 verse 26.
2. It is no more news that the Government of Sokoto State for political expediency is hell bent at dethroning the Highly revered Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III CFR, the Sultan of Sokoto. They have turned deaf ears to the voice of wisdom from very important personalities and groups in the country. Even after the Vice President, HE Kashim Shettima educate the Government of Sokoto state on the person and personality of Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, the government of Sokoto went ahead to deny any plan to dethrone one of the most influential global Muslim personalities as it continues the process with a Bill for the Amendment of Sultanate Council Law sent to the Sokoto State House of Assembly, which was hurried passed some days ago, awaiting the assent of Governor Aliyu.
3. I therefore stand before you today to address a matter of grave concern and utmost importance to the Muslim Community in Nigeria. Recent events have led to an attempt to undermine the influence and authority of our revered Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III CFR, with some even suggesting a plot by the Government of Sokoto State to depose him. We have watched with utter disbelief and fear, a move by the Sokoto State House of Assembly to tamper with the laws regulating the administration of the Sultanate, which is headed by His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III CFR. A bill initiated by the State Government has just been rushed through the State House of Assembly to curb the power and influence of the Sultan, a move that has sent shockwaves throughout our community and beyond.
4. His Eminence, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III CFR, is the spiritual head of more than 150 million Muslims in Nigeria, Niger, Mali and other places. He is a symbol of unity, wisdom, and leadership, and he has been a beacon of hope and guidance for our people. His deposition would not only be a travesty of justice but also a threat to the very fabric of our society.
5. This News Conference is to remind His Excellency Ahmad Aliyu and his government that Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR is not only the Sultan of Sokoto but the leader of over 150 million Muslims in this great country and beyond. In the history of Sokoto, no Sultan has brought the Muslims in this country together in unison as done by His Eminence, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni. His activities not only raise the status of the Sultanate but have also made Sokoto the Makkah of Nigerian Muslim leaders from all the geo-political zones. Very important personalities in the country and from overseas visit Sokoto to pay homage to this great Muslim leader and through him, the government of Sokoto State. Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, has made the Sultanate a celebrated seat, a pride and reference to the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and beyond. He has successfully amalgamated the Northern and Southern Muslim dichotomy that today Muslims from all over the country can proudly say, we have a leader.
6. Dethroning this great personality or diminishing his leadership, authority and influence will not be in the best interest of Sokoto State, its government and the great people of Sokoto State. Above all, it will bring about a great disservice, disrepute, and dishonour to the Muslim Ummah of this country.
7. OUR DEMANDS:
1. What we as Muslim Ummah expect from the Sokoto state government and Governor Ahmad Aliyu is to further strengthen and reinforce the power and influence of His Eminence Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, and the Sultanate. 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.
2. He should be protected from the control of politics, power and government.
3. The Sultan of Sokoto should be granted an immunity from dethronement and his influence expanded. By so doing, history will be lenient with His Excellency Governor Ahmad Aliyu and his name will be written in gold.
4. 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 been a pride to the global Muslim Community.
5. 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 Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, paving way for 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 to disrepute as well as the dark old days of Northern and Southern Muslim dichotomy. It will not do the Muslims in this country any good as well as the good people of Sokoto State.
6. We call on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces, His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to prevail on Governor Ahmad Aliyu and his government to halt whatever plans they have as long as it will lead to diminishing the power and influence of His Eminence Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, or worst still lead to his dethronement.
7. We appeal to the conscience of our political leaders across Nigeria and the wisdom of our elders (religious and traditional) to intervene and restore peace and stability to our community. We implore them to recognise the Sultan’s invaluable contributions to our nation’s development, his unwavering commitment to our people’s well-being, and the importance of his leadership and contributions in the international scene.
8. Let us come together in the spirit of unity and brotherhood to resolve our differences peacefully and respectfully. Let us uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and respect for tradition that have guided us for generations.
8. OUR RESOLVE
We will not stand idly by while our beloved Sultan, and the throne he occupies, which is more than 200 years old, are unfairly targeted. We will continue to speak out against this injustice until the attempt to depose him or reduce his power are reversed.
9. CONCLUSION
May Allah continue to protect and preserve the Muslim Ummah and its leadership.
Thank you.
SIGNED
ABDUR-RAHMAN BALOGUN
NATIONAL PRESIDENT,
MUSLIM MEDIA PRACTITIONERS OF NIGERIA (MMPN) ON BEHALF OF 33 MUSLIM GROUPS AND ASSOCIATIONS IN NIGERIA.
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