Muslims demand immunity for Sultan, seek Tinubu's Intervention

A coalition of 33 Muslim organisations in Nigeria has called on the Sokoto government to grant Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar immunity from dethronement instead of plotting to reduce his power.

The organisations also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing crisis within the Sultanate of Sokoto.

Recently, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) expressed concerns about rumours of a possible plan to remove Muhammad Abubakar from the position of Sultan of Sokoto.

The alarm got the attention of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who at a North-West Security Forum, warned that the Sultan of Sokoto represented an idea that must be jealously guarded and projected for the nation’s growth.

In response, the Sokoto State Government dismissed these speculations as the work of mischief-makers. The government’s spokesperson, Sambo Danchadi, clarified that an executive bill forwarded to the State House of Assembly does not include any provisions for dethroning the Sultan.

During a press conference on Thursday, 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 the influence of government power.

Balogun, who described the Sultan as the spiritual head of more than 150 million Muslims in Nigeria, Niger, Mali, and others, said any planned move to depose or reduce the power of the traditional ruler would not only be a travesty but also a threat to the very fabric of society.

Balogun stressed the need for Governor Ahmad Aliyu to build upon the accomplishments of previous administrations in empowering the monarch, saying by granting him immunity from dethronement and expanding his influence, the governor’s name will be remembered positively in history.

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 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 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.

“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 worse still lead to his dethronement.

“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 recognize 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.”