Nigeria’s royal fathers have told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that they do not envy him as a leader,
given the numerous challenges in the country.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, made the statement Friday, on behalf of other monarchs when they met Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Monarchs from the six geo-political zones under the aegis of the National Council of Traditional Rulers attended the meeting at the State House Banquet Hall. Tinubu with traditional rulers on FridayA cross section of traditional rulers at the meeting with TinubuTinubu with traditional rulersTinubu with Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto however assured the President of the support and loyalty of the royal fathers, underlining their availability at any time it is required.
The royal fathers also reposed confidence in the Tinubu-led administration and the ‘Renewed Hope’ mantra which they believe will lead the country on a path of progress.
In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Adewusi, who chanted ‘Use Us’ severally, urged President Tinubu to make more use of the traditional rulers particularly in tackling the challenge of insecurity.
President Muhammadu Buhari and the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Thursday in Sokoto, called for support and blessings of the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III.
Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman, said Buhari and Tinubu made the request during their visit before the APC mega rally in the city.
Tinubu, the first to speak and the first to bait the Sultan, told the leader of the Sokoto Caliphate:
“I have come to be presented to you as Candidate. The President and Commander-in-Chief, Muhammadu Buhari is here in person to do that.He is my candidate- Buhari, Tinubu and Wamakko in Sokoto
”I want to win the election. Is there a way you will decline the request of the President?”
While echoing the same line, President Buhari said: ”My wish is for your support and blessings; we want to win.”
He went on to narrate the qualities of the candidates, including their common belief and commitment to the unity and progress of every section of the country.
Buhari said he had associated with Asiwaju for more than 20 years and did not have any reservations in supporting him as the candidate of the APC.
The president said Tinubu’s greatest strength was in his effective governance of Lagos, the country’s former Capital, a business hub and home to diverse individuals from all over Nigeria for two terms.
He added that Tinubu has deep commitment to democracy and had played great role at the center as Senator.
According to him, his message to Nigerians is that they should trust Tinubu with power to succeed him because the APC candidate, supported by Kashim Shettima, the running mate will build on the successes of his administration.
In his response, the Sultan declared that being an apolitical father of all and custodian of culture, he would continue to receive everyone that sought the blessing of the throne.
He told President Buhari that many had come before him for the same purpose while many more would still come.
“We will continue to pray for our nation. We cannot be tired of praying and will continue to advocate for peaceful and free elections in our fatherland,” the Sultan further said.
He assured the president that the Caliphate was behind him as he sought to ensure free and fair elections.
The Sultan noted that the president’s commitment to be present at the next signing of the Peace Accord by political parties, underscored his desire to bequeath to the nation a credible electoral process.
Speaking before an unprecedented crowd at the Giginya Memorial Stadium, Sokoto, venue of the party’s Presidential and Gubernatorial Campaign rally, Buhari stressed the need for all members to work towards the success of the party in the forthcoming elections at all levels.
He affirmed that the party’s Presidential candidate who had been nominated by the party in a free, fair and democratic primary, deserved the support of all members and supporters of the party.
He remarked that Tinubu and his Vice, Sen. Kashim Shettima, were men who understand the problems of Nigeria, having been in politics as two-time Governors in their respective states.
He assured that they would proffer solutions to the challenges facing Nigeria.
Also present at the rally were the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, former Governor, Aliyu Wamakko, the party leader in the state who got a great deal of attention at the rally, as well as other party stalwarts.
IGNORE IRRESPONSIBLE ATTEMPT TO DRAG SULTAN INTO POLITICS of 2023 BY PETER OBI CAMPAIGNERS
The attention of Media Team of Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, has been drawn to a statement circulating on social media titled, “BREAKING: SULTAN OF SOKOTO WRITES” with an opening credited to Sultan purportedly saying, “Hold me responsible if Peter Obi didn’t perform well, the problem of the North is from the north, not Peter Obi or an Igbo man, it will be worst and more deadly for the North if Tinubu wins, if they tell you an Igbo man is the problem of Nigeria, tell them Igbo man never rule Nigeria before and north is world poverty capital”.
Ordinarily the statement should not be dignified with a pinch of reaction but because of the need to put the record straight for the sake of truth seeking Nigerians. Recall that this is not the first time such misleading statement would be circulated in effort to climb on the influential personality and name of the Sultan to score political goals. Unfortunately for the these pitiable political campaigners, Sultan of Sokoto is – strictly speaking – a traditional ruler and leader of Muslims of Africa’s most populous country. Moreso, as a retired Army General, his discipline, commitment and unalloyed to Nigeria is non-nogotiable.
For the avoidance of doubt, the statement is fake because such an irresponsible write-up, credited to him, could not have emanated from anywhere near or around His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
Between Wednesday and Thursday, the Sultan played host to several figures including the outgoing and new General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Eighth Division Nigerian Army, Sokoto, Major Generals O. Bassey and Godwin Mutkut, respectively, Vice Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Kashim Shettima, among others.
It would interest Nigerians to know that Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Dr. Peter Obi, was not one of those that paid visit to the palace, be it on Wednesday or Thursday. So, how some agents of discord whose stock-in-trade is to thrive on cooking falsehoods and peddling of Fame news think that they can get through with this remains unknown to common sense.
The simple challenge is to ask them to publish a copy of the letter purportedly written by the Sultan or a video or audio clip where he endorsed Peter Obi and denied APC Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as contained in their peddled fakeness. If they cannot, and of a surety they cannot, they should desist from this indefensible claim and unpardonable lie using the good bane of his His Eminence because it will backfire.
It should, however, be made clear to the good people of Nigeria that this , like many others in the past by the Peter Obi campaigners, would not stop the Sultan from continuing to play his role as a multifaceted leader and father of all and so, his doors will remain open to all aspirants across all parties and other meaningful people from across the country.
More important to Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar at this time and always are security, peace and unity of Nigeria, especially as the nation is fast moving into its long planned and heavily invested general elections. He will continue to support all efforts that will lead to success of the election process. So, let any incoherent claims of naysayers be ignored. Sultan is not a politician.
PRINCE BASHIR ADEFAKA,
For: Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto
English