Sokoto Govt speaks on speculation to dethrone Sultan

The Sokoto State Government has dismissed rumors of a plot to remove the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, from his position.

It will be remembered that Prof. Isiaq Akintola, the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Council, sounded the alarm on Monday, claiming that the Sokoto State Government was plotting to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto.

Akintola highlighted the removal of 15 traditional rulers by Governor Ahmed Aliyu in April, due to their alleged misconduct, as a factor contributing to the anxiety about a possible plot against the Sultan.

Akintola, in a statement, said Nigerian Muslims would reject any hostile actions against Sultan, who is the Nigerian Muslim spiritual leader.

The Islamic group also expressed concern over “the sour relationship between the governor and the Sultan.”

It asked the governor to exercise restraint and not tamper with the traditional institution.

It said, “Any governor who tampers with the stool of the Sultan will have Nigerian Muslims to reckon with because the Sultan combines the office of the Sultan of Sokoto and that of the President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.”

While reacting, Danchadi, the Sokoto Commissioner of Information, dismissed the alleged removal plot, describing it as “the imagination of MURIC and the opposition in the state.’’

He said, “The statement is just an imagination of the writer and even the opposition party in the state who are capitalising on the situation in Kano.

“It is true that we are streamlining the traditional law and very soon you will hear from the Assembly when the bill is laid on the table of the House.

“Concerning those traditional rulers they were talking about, there was nothing like removal but we just made an amendment and ensure that those who are supposed to be there are given the position.’

“The law on traditional rulers’ appointment in the state has not changed; it is the traditional council that nominates while the government only approves their nomination.

“They are only using what happens in Kano to raise tension in the state, but I can assure you that the government has no intention of such.

“Our streamline of traditional rulers law has nothing to do with the Sultanate seat. So, no cause for tension whatsoever.”