JUST IN: “Sokoto Governor Planning to Depose Sultan,” MURIC Alleges

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has sounded an alarm over an alleged plan by Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State to depose the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III. This warning, issued by MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Isiaq Akintola, comes amidst existing tensions following the recent deposition of several monarchs in Kano State.

Governor Aliyu previously removed 15 traditional rulers for various offenses, stirring controversy. Akintola’s statement highlighted widespread concern among Nigerian Muslims, who strongly oppose any potential move against the Sultan.

“Feelers in circulation indicate that the governor may descend on the Sultan of Sokoto any moment from now, using any of the flimsy excuses used to dethrone the 15 traditional rulers whom he removed earlier,” Akintola said.

He emphasized the significance of the Sultan’s position, not only as a traditional leader but also as the spiritual head of Nigerian Muslims. “The Sultan’s stool is not only traditional. It is also religious. His jurisdiction goes beyond Sokoto. It covers the whole of Nigeria,” he added, warning that any attempt to dethrone the Sultan would provoke a strong reaction from the Muslim community.

MURIC urged Governor Aliyu to reconsider any such actions and advised the Sokoto State House of Assembly to amend the state’s chieftaincy laws to exempt the Sultan from deposition. “We urge Northern elites and Islamic scholars based in the North to intervene before it is too late. This is the time to lobby the Sokoto State House of Assembly and the governor himself,” Akintola said.

The Sokoto State Government has not yet responded to MURIC’s allegations. However, it has previously indicated plans to amend section 76 of the local government and chieftaincy law to align with current practices. Under the existing law, the authority to appoint district and village heads lies with the Sultanate Council, but in practice, the governor makes the appointments based on the council’s recommendations.

Nasir Binji, the state’s attorney-general and commissioner for justice, explained that the proposed amendment aims to synchronize the legal framework with customary procedures, maintaining the Sultanate Council’s role in recommending candidates while vesting appointment authority in the governor.