A coalition of Muslim organisations in the country has called on the Sokoto State government to grant Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III immunity from dethronement, instead of plotting to reduce his power.
The organisations also urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing crisis within the Sultanate.
Meanwhile, the Sultan and his entourage have arrived in Ibadan, Oyo State, ahead of the coronation of the 43rd Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Recently, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) expressed concern about rumours of a plan to remove Muhammad Abubakar as Sultan of Sokoto.
The alarm got the attention of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who, at a North West Security Forum, warned that the Sultan represented an idea that must be jealously guarded and projected for the nation’s growth.
But the Sokoto government dismissed the speculations as the handiwork of mischief-makers. The government’s spokesperson, Sambo Danchadi, clarified that an executive bill forwarded to the House of Assembly did not include any provision for dethroning the Sultan.
At a press briefing, yesterday, the President of Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Abdur-Rahman Balogun, who spoke on behalf of the groups, stressed the need for the monarch to be safeguarded from political control and government influence.
Balogun, who described the Sultan as the spiritual head of Muslims in Nigeria, Niger, Mali and others, said any planned move to depose or reduce the power of the traditional ruler would be a travesty and threat to the very fabric of the society.
He said: “The governor should prevent any rumoured dethronement, as it would disrupt peace in Sokoto and gravely impact the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria. Such political manoeuvres could tarnish the reputation of the Muslim Ummah and revive divisions between Northern and Southern Muslims, which we must avoid.
“In the history of Sokoto, no Sultan has brought the Muslims in this country together as done by Abubakar. His activities not only raised the status of the Sultanate but also made Sokoto the Makkah of Nigerian Muslim leaders from all the geo-political zones.”
Personalities in the country visit Sokoto to pay homage to this great Muslim leader and the government of Sokoto. He has made the Sultanate a celebrated seat, a pride and a 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 they have a leader.
Appealing to political, religious and traditional leaders to intervene and restore peace and stability to Sokoto, the coalition implored them to recognise the Sultan’s invaluable contributions to national development, his unwavering commitment to people’s well-being, and the importance of his contributions to the international scene.
The Sultan and his delegation were received at Ibadan Airport by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, who led the government delegation, including the Personal Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde, Akeem Azeez.
Governor Seyi Makinde had approved the nomination by the Olubadan-in-Council of Oba Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan and subsequently fixed July 12 for the coronation and presentation of the Staff of Office.
