Nigerian Muslim Leaders Vow To Defend Sultan Against ‘Disrespect’ By Sokoto Govt

Nigerian Muslim leaders under the umbrella of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) have vowed to defend the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, against what the council allege as ‘disrespect’ by the Sokoto State Government.

This commitment was expressed during a crucial meeting held on July 2nd in Abuja by the General Purpose Committee (GPC) of the NSCIA.

The meeting, led by NSCIA Secretary-General, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, reiterated the council’s “absolute confidence” in Sultan Abubakar’s leadership, acknowledging his dedicated service to Islam and the Nigerian Muslim community.

Sources present at the meeting informed Premium Times that the committee pledged to undertake all legal and legitimate means to shield the Sultan from any form of humiliation or disrespect by any entity, be it individual, group, or governmental.

The committee’s robust response comes in the wake of recent legislative moves by the Sokoto State Government, which submitted a bill to the state’s House of Assembly aiming to amend the rules governing the appointment of traditional rulers.

Critics argue that this bill, if passed, would diminish the Sultan’s authority by requiring government approval for the appointment of kingmakers and district heads, an act seen as disrespectful to Sultan Abubakar’s position.

Therefore, the NSCIA, through its General Purpose Committee, has strongly advised political and government leaders at all levels to maintain respect for traditional and religious institutions, especially those intertwined with Islamic leadership.

Attendees of the meeting expressed their readiness to mobilize the Muslim faithful nationwide should the state government continue on what they perceive as a disrespectful path towards the country’s pre-eminent Muslim leader.

“The Sokoto State government should realize that the Sultan is not just a traditional ruler; he is a religious figure of national and international repute,” one attendee said, asking not to be named because he had no permission to discuss deliberations at the meeting with journalists. 

“We will not allow anyone to humiliate him in any way when he has done nothing wrong.”

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