AIT, Arise TV, PUNCH condemned as Muslims question attempted smear on Sultan, Muslim leadership image

By KEMI KASUMU

Some Muslim individuals have joined in the condemnation of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and others, over their calculated attempt to smear the name of symbol of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, in a news broadcast tagged with question, “Did the Sultan of Sokoto snub Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu?”

This followed a press statement distributed and published in the media (including The DEFENDER) dated Sunday, 12 September, 2021 and issued by a media and publicity consultant, Prince Bashir Adefaka, who reacted, on behalf of some Concerned Muslims, to what he described as mischievous video broadcast by the AIT.

“Such a shameful and cowardly act trying to cause disaffection between Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Sultan, considered to be a father to him like he is father to other well-intentioned figures in Nigeria and across the continent, can only come from an agent from the pit of hell and must be dismissed as merely a figment of imagination of the agents of doom.

“We, therefore, urge members of the public to disregard the video as it is not possible for any such thing of snub to ever be contemplated from the Sultan to Governor Sanwo-Olu or any other governor in Nigeria, regardless his ethnic or religious background.

“The questions are: Did Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu feel or say that he was snubbed by the Sultan? And if he was snubbed, why should he have been snubbed by him?” Adefaka said.

A keen observer, whose name was not to be mentioned, further defended the Sultan against the antics of purveyors of the twisted gestures.

He said: “From Sanwo Olu angle, it’s like a conversation pose and gesture. Note that if it’s for handshake he won’t face camera directly.

“Secondly, note that there’s no crowd around them unlike the previous two. It is obvious this is private or personal pose that indicates Sanwo olu gesturing the camera man to capture him with the sultan.

“My speculation is that the sultan and sanwo had already handshook which was not captured in motion. But this third pose or pic looks like one for still camera.

“Third handshake is not offered at chest or face level but at abdomen or navel level,” he said.

Publisher of Peace Magazine, Alhaji Abdulfattah Abdulsalam, in his reaction, also said:

“Is it the only thing they have to report at that event? It is hatred for Islam and Muslims. The video does not reflect snub, the Governor was talking to him. Or asking a question. Why would the Sultan snub him in the first instance?” He asked.

In the same vein, the National Coordinator, Muslim Media Watch Group, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, said:

“It is unfortunate that AIT and ARISE TV are getting notorious for anti-Islamic reportage aimed at maligning the integrity of the Muslim Ummah.

“They would continue to fail as they always create unfriendly relationship between Muslims and others.

“They are gradually losing confidence of the people as their negative reports usually turn to be hoax! Eventually, they run several apologies on their stations after wilfully damaging their own image!

“Shame on them and their sponsors. Nigeria shall remain united Insha Allah, irrespective of negative and unprofessional reportage of AIT and its collaborators!”