By Abubakar Yunusa
The Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), has called on the executive governor of Sokoto state to strengthen and reinforce the influence of His Eminence, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Sultanate.
It is recalled that the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has indicated that there are “feelers” suggesting the Sokoto state government is planning to dethrone Muhammad Abubakar as the Sultan of Sokoto.
The Sokoto State Government has stated that speculation about an alleged plan to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad, is the work of mischief-makers.
The government’s spokesperson, Sambo Danchadi, in a statement on Tuesday, said an executive bill forwarded to the State House of Assembly has no provisions to dethrone the Sultan.
Speaking at a news conference on behalf of 33 Muslims groups and association in Nigeria on Thursday, the president of the MMPN, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said, “What we expect the Sokoto state government and Governor Ahmad Aliyu to do is to further strengthen and reinforce the power and influence of Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and the Sultanate.”
He said, “Governor Ahmad Aliyu should build on the legacies of past administrations in empowering Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, and make him a true Sarki of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.
“He should be protected from the control of politics, power, and government.”
Balogun said the Sultan of Sokoto should be granted immunity from dethronement and his influence expanded. By so doing, history will be lenient with His Excellency Governor Ahmad Aliyu, and his name will be written in gold.
“This eminent and illustrious son of Sokoto, who is a symbol of global peace and unity, is not only a pride to the Nigerian Muslim Ummah but has also been a pride to the global Muslim community.”
Continuing, he said, “We appeal to Governor Ahmad Aliyu and his administration to preserve the revered seat of the Sultan and to avoid any political brigandage that will demean or reduce the influence and authority of the Sultan.
“The Governor should prevent the rumoured dethronement, which we believe will affect the peace in Sokoto and gravely affect the Muslim Ummah of this nation.
“This political jingoism is capable of bringing the Muslim Ummah of this nation into disrepute as well as returning to the dark old days of Northern and Southern Muslim dichotomy. It will not do the Muslims in this country any good, nor the good people of Sokoto State.
“We call on the president Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to prevail on Governor Ahmad Aliyu and his government to halt whatever plans they have as long as they will lead to diminishing the power and influence of the Sultan, or worse still, lead to his dethronement.”
