Buhari, Obasanjo, Saraki at Sultan’s Anniversary, as 3,000 horsemen hold Durbar

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday joined thousands of well-wishers from within and outside Nigeria to witness a grand Durbar held to mark the 10th coronation anniversary of Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III.
No fewer than 3,000 beautifully-dressed horse riders drawn from across Nigeria participated in the durbar, held at the Sultan’s palace in Sokoto.
Prominent Nigerians at the event included former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; and serving and former Governors, among others.
In a remark at the event, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State said the durbar was organised to celebrate the Sultan, whom he described as an astute leader, peace maker and bridge builder.
Tambuwal also spoke on the leadership of President Buhari, saying he had restored hope to the nation through his fight against corruption and insecurity.
Tambuwal noted that the Buhari administration had tamed insurgency, while efforts were on to solve problems of militancy, cattle rustling and other security challenges.
The governor also expressed optimism that the Buhari administration would reinvigorate the economy and set the nation on the path of growth and development.
In his response, the Sultan emphasised his belief in a united and indivisible Nigeria and urged all Nigerians to come together and work for sustainable peace and unity in the country.
According to the monarch, Nigerians should be more pious and patriotic to ensure a more prosperous country.
Abubakar said: “There must also be equity and social justice, as without them there will be no development.”
Earlier, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, who is the chairman of the main organizing committee, said the durbar was to celebrate the invaluable contributions of the Sultan to national development.
The Sultan was appointed on November 2, 2006 as the 20th Sultan of Sokoto Caliphate.