VICE President Kashim Shettima has called on the Sokoto State administration to ensure the safety and protection of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto.
Shettima made this plea during the North West Peace and Security Summit held in Katsina State, where he highlighted the Sultan’s significance beyond his traditional role, describing him as an institution that represents an idea crucial for the growth of Nigeria.
Shettima stated that ‘’the Sultan is an institution’’ that everyone in the country ‘’must guard, protect, promote, preserve and project for the good of our nation.’’
Responding to concerns raised by Prof. Isiaq Akintola about an alleged plot to dethrone the Sultan, Shettima emphasized the Sultan’s importance and the need to preserve his stool, which is not only traditional but also religious.
He warned against any action that could destabilize the Sultanate, highlighting the Sultan’s role as the spiritual head of all Nigerian Muslims and the President-General of the NSCIA, with jurisdiction covering the entire country.
He said;
“Our father who is a permanent picture in all developmental issues in this country, His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto. I want to use him as my point of reference to recognise and appreciate all our royal fathers present here.
“And to the Deputy Governor of Sokoto, I have a simple message for you. Yes, the Sultan is the Sultan of Sokoto, but he is much more than that; he represents an idea. He is an institution that all of us in this country need to jealously guard, protect, promote, preserve and project for the good of our nation.”
Akintola, of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), had expressed concerns about a potential move by the Sokoto State government to depose the Sultan, warning that such actions would be vehemently opposed by Nigerian Muslims.
The calls to protect the Sultan underscore the reverence and respect he commands not only in Sokoto but across Nigeria, as a symbol of unity and leadership within the Muslim community.
Eighteen-Eleven Media