BREAKING: Powerful Muslim Group Issues Fresh Warning, Reveals Steps Sokoto Govt Has Taken To Dethrone Sultan

Although the Sokoto State government denied it has plans to depose the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) maintains that the Sultan is still being targeted for removal.

MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, issued a statement on Wednesday highlighting concerns over the Sokoto Emirate Council Amendment Bill. Akintola explained that if this bill, which has already passed its first and second readings, becomes law, it would significantly reduce the Sultan’s powers.

This situation arises amid allegations from MURIC that Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State is plotting to depose the Sultan. Vice President Kashim Shettima has also commented, urging the government to protect and promote the institution of the Sultanate rather than undermine it. Nevertheless, the Sokoto State government has denied any such intentions.

Akintola criticized the proposed amendment, calling it “an attempt to diminish the influence of the Sultan.” He argued that the focus should be on amending the section of the chieftaincy law that empowers the Governor to remove the Sultan.

“There are reports that the Sokoto State House of Assembly is currently rushing through a bill which it called Emirate Council Amendment Bill. The bill has passed through the first and second readings within a very short period,” Akintola stated. He further expressed concern that if passed, the bill would strip the Sultan of crucial powers, such as appointing kingmakers and district heads without government approval. “This bill is outrageous, nauseating and anachronistic. It is a direct attack on the traditional institution of Sokoto State,” Akintola asserted.

He suggested that the governor is laying the groundwork to dismantle the Sultanate Council and establish his own version, controlled from the government house. Akintola pointed to the governor’s removal of 15 traditional rulers in a single day as evidence of this agenda.

“Governor Ahmed Aliyu is exhibiting the symptoms of fascism, totalitarianism and prebendalism. Nigerian Muslims are already asking, ‘Why the rush?’ Why are they rushing the bill if there is no hidden agenda? The whole exercise is suggestive of political motivation,” Akintola said. He questioned the fairness and transparency of the process, asking if the removed traditional rulers were given a chance to defend themselves and if the investigation reports were made public.

Akintola called for a revisit of the deposition of the 15 traditional rulers, proper investigation by a non-partisan panel, and the publication of the findings. He also criticized the state’s denial of plans to remove the Sultan, arguing that actions speak louder than words. “The state government came out yesterday to deny any plan to remove the Sultan but we can all see what it is doing secretly now,” Akintola noted, warning that this move could lead to instability in the Sultanate Council and broader societal issues.

MURIC urges the Sokoto lawmakers to be vigilant and protect the stability of the Sultanate Council, which Akintola described as the pride of the people of Sokoto State.

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