A Coalition Of Muslim organizations in Nigeria has called on Sokoto state Governor, Ahmed Aliyu to halt any plans aiming to undermine the influence of the Sultan of Sokoto,His Eminence Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III CFR.
The Muslim organizations stated this today at a press conference held in Abuja.
Addressing journalists on behalf of other 33 Muslim groups , the National President, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria(MMPN), Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun stated that the Government of Sokoto State, for political expediency, is hell-bent on dethroning the Highly revered Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto,he said the state government turned deaf ears to the voices of wisdom from very important personalities and groups in the country.
Alhaji Balogun stated;”Even after the Vice President,HE Kashim Shettima educated 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
“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’a Abubakar III CFR, with some even suggesting a plot by the Government of Sokoto Stat 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 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 shockwaves throughout our community and beyond.
“His Eminence, 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 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”.
The groups further reminded Sokoto state Governor,Ahmad Aliyu and that Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR is not only the Sultan of Sokoto but the leader of over 150 million Muslims in Nigeria.
“In the history 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 raised the status of the Sultanate but also made Sokoto the Makkah of Nigerian 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 Muslim from all over the country can proudly say, we have a leader”the groups said.
The groups warned that dethroning a great personality like Sultan Mohammadu Sa’ad Abubakar will not be in the best interest of government and the great people of Sokoto State, argued that it will bring about disservice, disrepute, and dishonour to the Muslim Ummah of the country.
The groups also called on Governor Ahmad Aliyu to further strengthen and reinforce the power and influence of Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and the Sultanate . They urged the Governor to build on the legacies of past administrations in empowering Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar , and make him a true Sarki of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.
“He should be protected from the control of politics, power and government
“The Sultan of Sokoto should be granted 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”the groups added.
The Muslim groups further appealed to Governor Ahmad Aliyu and his administration to preserve the seat of the revered Seat of the Sultan and to avoid any political brigandage that will demean or reduce the influence and authority of the Sultan, paving way for the rumoured dethronement, which will affect the peace of Sokoto and gravely affect the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.
The groups also called on the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 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 or worst still lead to his dethronement.
“We appeal to the conscience of our political leaders across Nigeria and the wisdom our elders (religious and traditional) to intervene and restore peace and stability to o community. We implore them to recognise the Sultan’s invaluable contributions to o nation’s development, his unwavering commitment to our people’s well-being, and the importance of his leadership and contributions in the international scene,
“Let us come together in the spirit of unity and brotherhood to resolve our difference peacefully and respectfully. Let us uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and respe for tradition that have guided us for generations.
“May Allah continue to protect and preserve the Muslim Ummah and its leadership”the groups concluded.
