The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has issued a stern warning to the Sokoto State government regarding any potential plans to depose Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar. This comes in the wake of Governor Aliyu Ahmed’s recent decision to depose 15 monarchs, sparking rumors that the Sultan might be next.
Threat of Revolutionary Measures
MURIC’s director, Ishaq Akintola, has threatened that Muslims in Sokoto State will take “drastically revolutionary measures” if Governor Aliyu Ahmed proceeds with any plans to depose Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar. Akintola emphasized, “MURIC advises the governor to look before he leaps. The Sultan’s stool is not only traditional but also religious.”
The Sacred Role of the Sultan
Akintola highlighted the significance of the Sultan’s role, noting that the Sultan is regarded as both a traditional and Islamic authority by Muslims in Sokoto and across Nigeria. In his statement on Monday, he remarked, “The Sultan’s jurisdiction extends beyond Sokoto; he is the spiritual head of all Nigerian Muslims.”
Potential for Aggressive Response
Akintola warned that Muslims might adopt a more aggressive stance if their concerns are not addressed, cautioning that “history will not be kind to” the governor.
Call for Legislative Exemption
The MURIC director also urged Sokoto State legislators to exempt the Sultan from any laws permitting the governor to remove traditional rulers. He described the idea of using such power to depose the Sultan as “tactless, reckless, myopic, and senselessly audacious.”
