By Milcah Tanimu

Vice-president kashim shettima has emphasized the need to protect and uphold the institution of the sultan of sokoto, alhaji muhammad sa’ad abubakar iii. Shettima made this statement at the ongoing north west peace & security summit in katsina state, which is being broadcast live on trust tv.

“In all developmental issues in this country, his eminence, the sultan of sokoto, I want to use him as a point of reference to recognize and appreciate all our royal fathers present here,” shettima said. “And to the deputy governor of sokoto, I have a simple message for you: yes, the sultan is the sultan of sokoto, but he is much more than that; he represents an idea, he is an institution, that all of us in this country need to jealously guard, protect, promote, preserve, and project for the growth of our nation.”

Shettima’s remarks come after prof. Isiaq akintola, executive director of the muslim rights council (muric), raised concerns about an alleged plot by the sokoto state government to depose the sultan. Akintola warned that any attempt to remove the sultan would be met with strong resistance from nigerian muslims.

“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. “Muric advises the governor to look before he leaps. The sultan’s stool is not only traditional; it is also religious. In the same vein, his jurisdiction goes beyond sokoto. It covers the whole of nigeria. He is the spiritual head of all nigerian muslims.”

The sokoto state government has not yet responded to muric’s allegations. However, it had previously announced plans to amend section 76 of the local government and chieftaincy law to align with current practices within the state. Under the current law, the sultanate council provides recommendations for district and village head appointments, but the governor has the final authority to appoint.

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. The sultanate council would retain the power to recommend candidates, while the authority to appoint would be vested in the governor.