Last week, when the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) expressed alarm over the deteriorating relationship between the Sokoto state government and the Sultan of Sokoto, coupled with whispers of impending dethronement, I initially dismissed the news as yet another sensationalist headline.
However, the gravity of the situation became apparent when Vice-President Kashim Shettima felt compelled to address the matter during the north-west governors meeting in Katsina on Monday.
As the old adage goes, there’s no smoke without fire, and Shettima’s intervention suggests that these rumours may have more substance than initially thought.
The vice-president’s words were both a plea and a warning. He described the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, not merely as a monarch, but as an institution that must be “jealously guarded and protected”. This characterisation elevates the Sultan beyond the realm of mere royalty, positioning him as a symbol of cultural and spiritual significance that transcends the boundaries of Sokoto state.
Shettima’s assertion that the Sultan “represents an idea” is particularly noteworthy. It suggests that any attempt to undermine the Sultan’s position is tantamount to an assault on the very fabric of our nation’s cultural and religious heritage.
The VP’s call for the protection and preservation of traditional institutions underscores their importance in maintaining the delicate balance of our diverse nation.
Yet, it seems the Sokoto state government may not have fully grasped the implications of Shettima’s message. Just two days after the vice-president’s impassioned plea, news broke that the state house of assembly had passed the Sokoto Emirate Council Amendment Bill through its first and second readings.
The proposed amendments, if enacted into law, would significantly curtail the Sultan’s powers, stripping him of the authority to appoint kingmakers and district heads without government approval.
This move by the Sokoto government is troubling on multiple levels. It not only disregards the vice-president’s counsel but also threatens to destabilise a centuries-old institution that has played a crucial role in maintaining peace and unity in the region. The timing and swiftness of this legislative action raise questions about the motivations behind it.
While the state government has issued denials regarding any plans to dethrone the Sultan, the old journalistic maxim holds true: where there’s smoke, there’s often fire. The very fact that such rumours have gained traction, coupled with the legislative moves to limit Sultan’s authority, suggests that there is indeed an underlying tension that needs to be addressed.
The situation in Sokoto brings to mind the dark days of 1996 when the late military leader, Sani Abacha, deposed the then-Sultan of Sokoto. Abacha’s actions, while reprehensible, were at least explicable within the context of a military dictatorship.
In our current democratic dispensation, such a move would be not only unconscionable but potentially catastrophic for the nation’s stability.
We need only look to the ongoing crisis in Kano over emirate issues to see the potential consequences of meddling with traditional institutions. The courts have been playing a protracted game of legal ping-pong with the issue, creating uncertainty and division where there should be unity and respect for tradition.
The Sokoto state government would do well to heed the vice-president’s words and abandon any notion of dethroning the Sultan. There are far more pressing issues that demand the government’s attention and resources.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Sokoto holds the unenviable position of being the poorest state in Nigeria, with a staggering poverty rate of 81.2 percent as of 2023. This is a crisis that demands immediate and focused attention.
Moreover, the education sector in Sokoto is in dire straits. Along with Kebbi and Yobe, Sokoto has one of the highest rates of out-of-school children in the country. A shocking 66.4 percent of children aged 6-15 in Sokoto are not receiving an education.
These are the real emergencies that should be occupying the minds and efforts of the state government, not power struggles with traditional institutions.
It is a regrettable trait of Nigerian politicians to major in the minor, focusing on trivial power plays while neglecting the fundamental issues that affect the lives of their constituents.
This misplacement of priorities not only hampers development but also erodes public trust in governmental institutions.
Our traditional institutions must be protected and insulated from the capricious whims of political leaders. The practice of governors dethroning traditional rulers based on perceived political allegiances or personal grudges is a dangerous one that threatens the stability of our communities and the richness of our cultural heritage.
If there are to be grounds for the removal of traditional rulers, they should be limited to clear cases of criminal activity, insubordination, or gross misconduct that poses a genuine threat to the well-being of their communities.
These criteria should be clearly defined and subject to rigorous legal scrutiny to prevent abuse.
The Sultan of Sokoto, like other traditional rulers across Nigeria, represents a living link to our past and a guiding light for our future. These institutions have weathered colonialism, military rule, and the turbulent waters of our democracy. They have often served as bastions of stability in times of political upheaval and as voices of reason in moments of national crisis.
To undermine these institutions for short-term political gain is not only short-sighted but potentially disastrous. The ripple effects of such actions could extend far beyond the borders of Sokoto State, potentially destabilizing the delicate balance of power and tradition that underpins our national unity.
As we navigate the complex challenges of the 21st century, we need the wisdom and stabilizing influence of our traditional institutions more than ever. The Sultan of Sokoto, as a spiritual leader and a symbol of unity, has a crucial role to play in addressing the myriad challenges facing not just Sokoto State, but the entire nation.
Therefore, let us hope that cooler heads will prevail in Sokoto. The state government would do well to redirect its energies towards addressing the pressing issues of poverty, education, and development that plague the state.
These are the battles worth fighting, the challenges that demand our full attention and resources.
The thought of dethroning the Sultan should not merely be dismissed; it should be emphatically rejected as an affront to our cultural heritage and a dangerous precedent that could unravel the fabric of our society.
Let us instead work to strengthen and support our traditional institutions, recognizing them as invaluable partners in the ongoing nation-building project.
In these turbulent times, we need anchors of stability and beacons of wisdom. The Sultan of Sokoto and other traditional rulers across the nation provide just that. To threaten this institution is to threaten the very foundations of our national identity. So let us say it loud and clear: the dethronement of the Sultan? Perish that thought, for the sake of Sokoto and for the sake of Nigeria.
•Written by Jonathan Nda-Isaiah
