We are pleased with this Sultan, ready not for another – Yoruba Monarch-turned International safety expert

By KEMI KASUMU

President of the OSHAssociation UK, Nigeria Region, and Atayero of Aramoko Ekiti, HRH Dr. Olusegun Aderemi JP, has sent a word of caution to Sokoto State Government to consider the consequences of hiding under flimsy excuses to whittle the powers of the revered Sultan of Sokoto and rescind its planned tampering with the tradition and throne of the occupant, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

He gave this warning following report of a Bill approved by the Sokoto State Executive Council and transmitted to the state House of Assembly, with sole aim of targeting the Sultan by first amending the Sultanate Council Laws in way that empowers the governor, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, to dethrone him.

The king, who has been busy with issues of safety of lives and property in relations with Nigeria and Europe, said in a statement on Wednesday July 3, 2024 that the Nigerian people, whose lives have been positively touched by the Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar’s commitment to peace, unity and progress project across world’s most populous black nation, will resist the move by the Sokoto State government warning that Governor Aliyu should not test the patience and will of the people before being convinced about the worth of the “gigantic enigma” he has as king of Sokoto Caliphate hosted by his state but which he appears not to appreciate enough.

“We in the South are pleased with this Sultan, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni. We are not ready for another Sultan because this Sultan’s reign has brought about enduring lasting mutual respect among Nigerians and harmony, peace, unity and progress not only to Muslims but also to Christians of the country and the world.

“If we, as leaders and people outside of the revered Sokoto Caliphate could be pricked by the marvelous contribution, stature and feats that this great enigma has garnered to earn his respect as a global citizen, it will only be appalling to note that the people, who are divinely blessed with this kind of enigma and unputdownably pragmatic personality, do not seem to appreciate as displayed in the attitude of Governor Ahmad Aliyu and his government officials.

“At any rate, with the fact that this Sultan is Co-President of World Religions for Peace and has consistently maintained his ranking as one of Top 50 Most Influential Muslims in the World for years now till date and one multifaceted leader that all Nigerians hold in high esteem without looking back on the ground of ethnic and religious coloration, I join those who say ‘we doff our hat’ for the charismatic very amiable Retired General of the Nigerian Army, efficient Ambassador, sportsman and leader of man in saying ‘we stand in solidarity with Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar and that we will not be ready for any other so long he lives.

“And this is just for the Governor and government of Sokoto State to take note and know why this Sultan will be very difficult and impossible for him to remove or tampered with in any way. Above all, none of these politicians in power now engaging in amending local government laws in waging war to undermine the sanctity of traditional institution in Northern Nigeria will want to be remembered by future history of the nation that they are the ones who bastardised the legacy of reformed society left behind by Sheikh Usaman Dan Fodio of blessed memory. And to the rest in other parts of Nigeria, let them not be misled to thinking that political powers do it all. No.

“Traditional rulers of Nigeria deserve their respect and they should be allowed to manage their own affairs independent of government interference only to inform government when they need to formalize decisions taken within themselves. Royalty is about family bond, no politician must interfere to split it, especially in Sokoto as it is said in Yoruba parlance that ‘tomorrow today will be yesterday’,” he said.

Talking about implications Atayero noted that the reason for quality people visiting Sokoto State is Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar and the state will suffer discontinuity of that should he carry out a politically motivated whittling of royalty powers of the Sultan and dethrone the current occupant of the throne.

Already, the Southern Muslims have vowed to stop following the leadership of the Muslim Ummah of Nigeria by the Sultan of Sokoto should this Sultan be deposed, a development that will set Nigeria back by a century as multiplied effects of complex crisis the tampering and dethronement of Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar will be capable of sparking without end.

Dr. Aderemi called on all Nigerian traditional rulers and Muslims to rise up against such self-based political manipulations that political class is introducing to destroy traditional institution in the country.