The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman ,of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has rejected the perception that Islam seeks to capture political power in Nigeria or that jihad is aimed at killing non-Muslims.
Speaking at the unveiling of the book “Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum” by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, in Abuja, the Sultan clarified that Islam advocates good governance rather than power grab.
He explained that during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, the Muslim community offered full support without political bias, stressing that Islamism should not be seen as a quest for control but a call for societal progress.
Abubakar also revealed that he was once accused of opposing former President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term after delivering a lecture on Islam and leadership in 2019, insisting his remarks were focused solely on principles of good governance.
Highlighting that Muslims are guided by the Qur’an, the Hadith, and the consensus of Islamic scholars, the monarch condemned extremism, emphasising that such behaviour is incompatible with true Islamic values.
On the concept of jihad, the Sultan stated that it means “to strive” — whether as a good Muslim, Christian, farmer, or engineer — and not a mandate to harm non-Muslims.
He urged Nigerians to work together as one family, despite their differences, to build a more united and peaceful nation, while commending General Irabor for his dedication and service in combating insecurity.