There is an indication that the most prominent Traditional Ruler in Northern Nigeria may be experiencing what seems to be another dethroning in days or weeks to come.
This fear follows a warning to the Sokoto State government by the Vice Ibrahim Shettima concerning the preservation of the seat of the Sultan, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III .
In his speech while reacting to an alarm raised by the Executive Director of Muslim Rights Council (MURIC), Prof. Isiaq Akintola, that the Sokoto government is allegedly plotting to depose the Sultan at the ongoing North West security summit in Katsina, Vice President Shettima told the Sokoto government to jealously guard the Sultan’s throne.
“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 jealousy guard, protect, promote, preserve and project for the growth of our nation,” Shettima noted.
The Muslim Rights Concern group, (MURIC), through its Executive Director, Prof. Isiaq Akintola, had during his speech at the event raised alarm over an alleged plan by Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, to depose the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
Akintola called on Nigerian Muslims to reject any thought of deposing the Sultan, who he said is not only a traditional leader but also a religious figure with jurisdiction across Nigeria.
He reminded the governor that tampering with the Sultan’s stool would have far-reaching consequences.
MURIC called on the Sokoto State House of Assembly to repeal or review the state’s chieftaincy laws, adding immunity for the office of the Sultan.
This development comes amidst controversy and tension over the deposition of monarchs in Kano State.
It would be recalled that Governor Aliyu previously deposed 15 traditional rulers for various offences.
