MURIC felicitates with Sultan on 10th anniversary

The Muslim Rights Concern, a faith-based organisation, on Wednesday congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa‘ad Abubakar III, on the 10th anniversary of his ascension to the throne.
A statement by Prof. Ishaq Akintola, MURIC Director, described the Sultan, who is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs as a father of all.
Akintola said that the Sultan had continually worked for the unity of the Nation and promoted religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence among various ethnic groups in the country.
Akintola said: “The Muslim Rights Concern congratulates His Eminence the Sultan on this August occasion.
‘’We also felicitate with the government and good people of Sokoto state, the Sultanate Council and the entire Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and beyond.
“We affirm that Nigerian Muslims only began to raise their heads with pride after the current Sultan came on board. Sultan Muhammad Sa‘ad Abubakar III gave Nigerian Muslims purposeful, mature, dynamic and responsible leadership.
“He shunned armchair leadership and became visible in all parts of the country. We marvel at his managerial skill with which he has mobilised Muslims from all sectors.”
The organisation also described the Sultan as “a completely detribalised Nigerian, a true bridge-builder and a man of peace, who brought the Muslim Ummah closer to their Christian neighbours”.
Akintola said: “Leading by example, he taught us love, forgiveness, and tolerance. A patriot, he laid special emphasis on the need for peaceful coexistence in the past 10 years of selfless service to his country.”
Akintola, who said that the Sultan was an asset, advised the Sokoto State Government to give him special recognition and befitting status by repealing laws that empower state governors to depose Sultans.
Akintola also said: “We contend that since Article 7 (a) of the constitution of the NSCIA confers the leadership of Nigerian Muslims on the Sultan of Sokoto, the latter’s office and status transcends the Sokoto Sultanate.
“He is the bona fide head of all Muslims in the country. Therefore, the deposition of a Sultan has far-reaching implications.
“Apart from being an embarrassment of no little dimension to Nigerian Muslims, it is capable of causing both religious and constitutional crisis.
“This is as a mark of respect for Nigerian Muslims and in a bid to save the Ummah from such embarrassment and constitutional crisis in future.
“Such amendment should exempt the Sultan from the dethronement clause.
“Section 6 Cap 26 is a sword of Damocles dangling on the heads of the entire Nigerian Muslims and Islamic organisations in the country.
“It must be amended, Sokoto must not kill the goose that lays the golden egg.”
Akintola also advised Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, other Northern governors and Muslims to continue to support and cooperate with the Sultan.