The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed concern over a reported plan by Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State to depose the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Isiaq Akintola, issued a statement on Monday, stating that Nigerian Muslims reject any attempt to remove the Sultan.
Governor Aliyu had previously deposed 15 traditional rulers for various reasons.
Akintola’s statement suggests that the governor may use similar excuses to remove the Sultan.
He warns the governor to consider the implications of such an action, emphasizing that the Sultan is not only a traditional ruler but also holds a religious position.
The Sultan’s authority extends beyond Sokoto and covers the entire country as the spiritual head of all Nigerian Muslims.
MURIC cautions Governor Aliyu against pushing Nigerian Muslims to take drastic measures.
“Nigerian Muslims have accepted the leadership of traditional rulers as a necessary weakness in the system,” MURIC said.
However, MURIC said, if the authority of the Sultan continues to be diminished, they may be compelled to choose Islamic scholars as the President General of the NSCIA and overall leader of Nigerian Muslims.
The organization urges the Sokoto State House of Assembly to review the chieftaincy laws, ensuring immunity for the office of the Sultan.
MURIC calls on Northern elites and Islamic scholars to intervene and lobby the Sokoto State House of Assembly and the governor to prevent further embarrassment to Nigerian Muslims.
Elanza News reports that even though the Sokoto State Government is yet to respond to MURIC’s allegations, there are plans to amend the local government and chieftaincy law to align with prevailing practices.
Under the current law, Elanza News gathered, the Sultanate Council recommends candidates for district and village heads, with the governor making the final appointments.
Elanza News reports that the proposed amendment aims to synchronize the legal framework with customary procedures in Sokoto.
It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold and whether the concerns raised by MURIC are true and will be addressed.
