You worship God not Sultan, Media Team debunks mischievous claim in circulation
By KEMI KASUMU
“We wish to categorically state that the image in question is fake, likely AI-generated, and deliberately crafted to misinform the public. It is also a mischievous and dangerous attempt to associate the revered leadership of Muslims in Nigeria, particularly the Sultan of Sokoto, with issues unrelated to his office or person.”
In a statement strongly worded statement sent out as a rejoinder to a “False and Misleading Claims Circulating on Social Media”, the Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto, on Sunday evening debunked what it described as a misleading post circulating across WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms, titled “Leaked photo of Governor Hyacinth Alia worshipping the Sultan of Sokoto.”
In the statement dated April 12, 2026 and signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka, the Sultan’s Media Team frowned at the mischievous post which content, it said, attempts to introduce a divisive religious and ethnic narrative into the ongoing security challenges in Benue State.
It said Sultan of Sokoto never positioned himself as a leader to be worshipped by fellow man as, according to it, he is not God who alone deserves to be worshipped and called on leaders across religious and ethnic boundaries to caution their members and see the duty of national peace and unity as collective responsibility for all.
“We wish to categorically state that the image in question is fake, likely AI-generated, and deliberately crafted to misinform the public. It is also a mischievous and dangerous attempt to associate the revered leadership of Muslims in Nigeria, particularly the Sultan of Sokoto, with issues unrelated to his office or person.
“The accompanying commentary falsely alleges religious bias and attempts to inflame tensions by linking the Sultan to the crisis in Benue State. Such claims are not only baseless but also constitute a serious threat to national unity and security. These actions reflect a pattern of disinformation designed to incite division and undermine peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
“As custodians of the image and public communication of the Sultan of Sokoto — who also serves as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Chairman National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council and Co-President of the World Religions for Peace New York — we condemn these acts in the strongest terms. For nearly two decades, the Sultan has consistently promoted peace, interfaith harmony, and national cohesion. Efforts to tarnish this legacy through fabricated content must be rejected by all well-meaning Nigerians.
“We also note with concern that similar false narratives have been propagated over time by identifiable individuals on social media. Such activities risk exacerbating existing tensions and destabilizing the fragile security environment in parts of the country.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Sultan of Sokoto does not appear in the manner depicted in the circulated image whatsoever. Furthermore, Islamic teachings clearly establish that prostration is an act of worship reserved solely for Almighty Allah, making the claims in the post not only false but fundamentally inconsistent with the Sultan’s faith and principles.
“We call on the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to take decisive action against the spread of disinformation and those responsible for inciting division through such harmful content, some of whom we shall start profiling for actions any time soon.
“We also urge religious and community leaders across all faiths to promote responsible communication among their followers, particularly on social media platforms. Safeguarding Nigeria’s unity and stability is a shared responsibility that transcends religious and ethnic boundaries.
“The Media Team remains committed to supporting initiatives that foster peace, mutual respect, and national unity, it said.
