Monarch, Imam, Igbo Muslims drum support for Sultan

The Sokoto State government’s alleged plans to depose the Sultan of Sokoto and leader of over 100 million Muslims in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has raised dust among prominent southern Muslims.
Following the sack of 15 District heads by the state government recently, there had been widespread apprehension that the ultimate target was to whittle down the influence and power of the Sultan, which transcends Sokoto State and Nigeria.
Although, the state government has come out to deny such move, not many watchers of the event were fazed by such claims.
Chairman of Ekiti State Muslim Traditional Rulers Council and Attah of Aiyede kingdom, Oba Alhaji AbdulMumini Adebayo Orishagbemi, said in a statement circulated to the media during the week that there was no way such idea could fly because the Sultan is not of Sokoto alone but of the entire country.
The statement, personally signed by one of 16 most powerful traditional rulers in Ekiti State, stated, “The attention of the Chairman, Ekiti State Muslim Traditional Rulers Council and Attah of Aiyede Kingdom, Ekiti State, has been drawn to disappointing reports of some politicians in Sokoto State plotting to depose our quintessential monarchy administrator in Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar”
The monarch said the throne of the Sultan should not be subjected to political whims and caprice. Also, the Chief Imam of Akure, Ondo State, Sheikh Abdulhakeem Yayi Akortede, called on the governor of Sokoto State to respect the office of the Sultan.
Similarly, Igbo Muslims have also called on Sokoto State governor, Ahmad Aliyu to toe the line of peace and reconciliation.
The South-East Muslim Community Forum, led by Dr Baron Ogbonnia Ajah, urged the governor to employ diplomatic means and dialogue to resolve any perceived disagreement with the monarch.