The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has voiced apprehension regarding Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State’s purported plan to remove the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, from his position. Prof. Ishaq Akintola, the Executive Director of MURIC, articulated these concerns in a statement on Monday, June 24.
This issue arises amidst ongoing controversy and tension following the removal of several monarchs in Kano State. Previously, Governor Aliyu had dismissed 15 traditional rulers for various reasons. Akintola emphasized that Nigerian Muslims strongly oppose any attempt to depose the Sultan.
“Feelers in circulation indicate that the governor may descend on the Sultan of Sokoto any moment from now using any of the flimsy excuses used to dethrone the 15 traditional rulers whom he removed earlier,” Akintola said.
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Akintola advised the governor to reconsider any actions against the Sultan, highlighting that the Sultan’s position is both traditional and religious, extending beyond Sokoto to the entire Nigerian Muslim community.
He warned that any attempt to tamper with the Sultan’s authority would provoke strong opposition from Nigerian Muslims.
“The Sultan combines the office of the Sultan of Sokoto and that of the President General of the NSCIA,” Akintola stated, adding that any governor who undermines this position will face significant backlash from the Muslim community.
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Akintola also warned Governor Aliyu against pushing Nigerian Muslims towards drastic measures. He referenced the 1996 deposition of Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki by military governor Col. Yakubu Muazu as a historical precedent for the vulnerability of the Sultanate.
In response to this development, Senator Shehu Sani urged caution, expressing respect for the Sultan’s esteemed position. He appealed to Governor Aliyu to avoid repeating the turmoil that afflicted the Kano emirate.
“Even though it’s a subject of speculation or conjecture, I appeal to the Governor of Sokoto State not to allow the viruses that infected the Kano emirate to infect the Sultanate.
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That sultanate doesn’t belong to the people of Sokoto alone. We are stakeholders,” Sani wrote on X (formerly Twitter).