The Sokoto State Government has refuted rumors suggesting that Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration plans to depose the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Abubakar Bawa, a spokesman for the state government, denounced efforts to damage the positive relationship between the state government and the Sultanate Council.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) had alleged a conspiracy by the state government to dethrone the Sultan.
In response, Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasized on Monday that the Sultan’s throne is an institution that must be protected and preserved.
Addressing Deputy Governor Idris Gobir at the North-West Peace and Security Summit in Katsina State on Monday, the Vice President said, “In all developmental issues in this country, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, I want to use him as a point of reference to recognize 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 jealousy guard, protect, promote, preserve and project for the growth of our nation.”
‘Sultanate Council Esteemed’
In its statement, the Sokoto State Government described the accusations by MURIC as baseless and false, assuring the Muslim community that there is no plot to dethrone the Sultan, who also serves as the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
Bawa said the present administration just like the previous administrations in the state “cherishes and respects the Sultanate Council long before MURIC was established”.
“The Sultanate Council, which has a long standing historical importance is so reverred to all the people of Sokoto State, therefore we still hold the institution in very high regards and esteem.
“To put the records straight, we would like to tell the world that the relationship between the Ahmed Aliyu-led administration and the Sultanate Council under the leadership of our most respected monarch, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has been very cordial,” the statement read.
Bawa said the “present administration always consulted with His Eminence, the Sultan on issues affecting the state, and his invaluable contributions and inputs are always respected and included in policy implementation”.
“On the issue of sacking and transfer of some District Heads in Sokoto State, MURIC should know that the affected District Heads were accused of some unbecoming behaviours,such as land racketeering, aiding insecurity as well as insurbodination to the constituted authority.
“In order to give them fair hearing the committee summoned all the affected District Heads, after which it came up with a whitepaper report, advising the government on what to do. And it was based on that and also in the public interest that the state government acted in conformity with the recommendations made by the whitepaper committee,” the statement added.