By KEMI KASUMU
As the issue of attempted tampering with the vital stool of Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, cripples further into South East of Nigeria, the South East Muslim Community Forum (SEMCOF), under the leadership of Dr. Haroun Ogbonnia Ajah, has urged the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, to use diplomatic means and dialogue in solving any perceived disagreement with the multifaceted leader.
Although Governor Ahmad, through his aides, has denied ever mulling the thought to depose nor whittle the powers of the Sultan as reported, his actions and that of his government confirmed the worries of Nigerians, who insisted that the head of the throne once installed is no longer property of Sokoto but of tge entire Nigeria.
Dr. Isiaka Salmon, SEMCOF Secretary General, made this call in a statement sent to The DEFENDER on Thursday, saying disrespecting the office of a monarch of the stature of the Sultan of Sokoto, who is also the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), to the extent of thinking he can be removed at will of any political class is something that should not happen.
According to the statement, “The Forum has observed with discomfort the viral stories circulating around about the intention of the State Government to dethrone the reverend traditional ruler, the Sultan of Sokoto who also doubled as the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) & (JNI).
“It is important to emphasise that the Sultan is not only a traditional Leader in Sokoto but also the Leader of all Nigerian Muslims, and as such any attempt to dethrone him or tamper with his authority will not sit well with the Nigerian Muslims and will portray the Government in a very bad light,” it emphasised.
In the statement, released in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital on behalf of the BoT Chairman, and South East Head of Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Haroun Ogbonnia Ajah, and the entire community, the Igbo Muslims’ Chief Scribe urged restrain and peaceful resolution of any conflict of interests between the State Government and the Sultanate Council of Sokoto in the overall interest of the state and the nation at large.
He saud this became imperative because the Sultan enjoins enormous goodwill, support and solidarity across the country and beyond.
The statement concluded by praying to Allah sub’anahu watahaala to ease all the affairs of the Ummah around the world and “grant lasting peace and stability to our dear country, Nigeria.”
