Sultan’s Alleged Dethronement: Sokoto Government Refutes Claim

The Sokoto State Government has refuted the allegation that it plans to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and assured the people of the state that it would do everything to protect the dignity of the sultanate council.

The clarification followed a comment made by Vice President Kashim Shettima regarding the alleged attempt to remove the Sultan from power while speaking at the Northwest Security Summit in Katsina on Monday, June 24.

The Sokoto government, however, said that the vice president should have contacted Governor Ahmed Aliyu to verify the news which made rounds on the purported plan to depose Sultan Abubakar before commenting publicly.

“The vice president should have contacted Governor Ahmed Aliyu to verify the news which made rounds on the purported plan to depose Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar before going public”, the state government said in a statement signed issued in Sokoto by Abubakar Bawa, chief press secretary to Governor Aliyu Sokoto.

Accordingly, the state government said the vice president ought to always have full knowledge of issues of national concern before commenting on them.

“We sincerely expected the vice president to have consulted the governor before going public.

“As an elder statesman and a father to all, he should have facts and figures before judging issues raised by mischief makers and the mushroom social media handlers known for negative propaganda.

“The fact of the matter is that there was never any attempt to sack the Sultan nor have we sent him any threat regarding that.

“Sultan enjoys all the powers he is entitled to. We never denied him any of his freedom or rights.

“We therefore do not need to be told to guard, protect, and promote the Sultan. It is our sole responsibility.

“The government and People of Sokoto cherish and adore the sultanate council and would do everything possible to protect the dignity of the revered institution. The government to this end reassures all Nigerians that, it will continue to protect the sultanate council and its dignity at all times,” the statement stressed.