The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has sounded an alarm about an alleged plan by Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu to depose the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
This alarm was raised by MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Isiaq Akintola, in a statement on Monday.
This issue arises amidst ongoing controversy and tension related to the deposition of several monarchs in Kano State. Governor Aliyu had previously deposed 15 traditional rulers for various reasons.
In his statement, Akintola asserted that Nigerian Muslims are strongly against any attempt to depose the Sultan.
“Reports suggest that the governor might target the Sultan of Sokoto using any of the trivial reasons employed to dethrone the 15 traditional rulers earlier removed.
“MURIC advises the governor to proceed with caution. The Sultan’s position is not only traditional but also religious, extending beyond Sokoto to the entire Nigeria as he is the spiritual leader of all Nigerian Muslims.
“Hence, any governor who interferes with the Sultan’s position will face opposition from Nigerian Muslims, as the Sultan holds the dual role of Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the NSCIA,” Akintola stated.
Akintola warned Governor Aliyu against provoking Nigerian Muslims into drastic actions.
He noted that Nigerian Muslims have long accepted the leadership of a traditional ruler despite recognizing its structural weakness. He referenced the deposition of Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki by military governor Col. Yakubu Muazu on April 20, 1996, as an example of this vulnerability.
“If Sokoto governors continue to undermine the Sultan’s authority, Nigerian Muslims may be forced to take decisive action.
“For clarity, Sultan Muhammad Sa’d Abubakar is not just the Sultan of Sokoto but also the Sultan of the Nigerian people. His leadership style has endeared him to Nigerians.
“Nigerian Muslims across the country might be compelled to appoint Islamic scholars exclusively as President General of the NSCIA and overall leader of Nigerian Muslims.
“This would mark a departure from traditional rulers leading the NSCIA and end Sokoto’s privileged position. History would not favor Col. Yakubu Muazu and Ahmed Aliyu for damaging Sokoto’s leadership role.
“If the Sultan and NSCIA leader are deposed a second time, Nigerian Muslims will not tolerate a third occurrence.
“MURIC calls on the Sokoto State House of Assembly to amend the state’s chieftaincy laws by adding ‘except the Sultan of Sokoto’ to Section 6, Cap 26 of the Laws of Northern Nigeria, which allows the state governor to depose emirs, including the Sultan.
“We urge Northern elites and Islamic scholars in the North to intervene promptly. This is the time to lobby the Sokoto State House of Assembly and the governor. If Kano State’s chieftaincy laws can be changed in 24 hours, Sokoto State can also revise its laws to grant immunity to the Sultan’s office in a day to prevent immense embarrassment for Nigerian Muslims.”
