Sultan of Sokoto and President General Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad S’aad Abubakar III, Sunday, said the unity of Nigeria as a country is not negotiable.
Sultan Abubakar stated this in his remarks in Ibadan, Oyo state, at the 9th Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) General Assembly, held at the University of Ibadan Central Mosque.
The Sultan emphasised that Nigeria is one and will continue to be one with Nigerians seeing themselves as one regardless of all the recent insinuations in the online platforms.
He stressed that “there is the need for Nigerians to continue to see one another as one and as well continue to be our brother’s keeper at all times.”
“Our unity is not negotiable in Nigeria. All those things on the social platforms should be disregarded. We are one and will continue to be members of the same family,” he said.
Emphasising that the Nigerians should not allow religion to divide them, the Sultan maintained that the present hardship in the country cut across all Nigerians and should not be seen as a one-sided issue.
In his remarks, MUSWEN President and NSCIA Deputy President General, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, advised Nigerians to be wary of politicians who failed to see anything good in President Bola Tinubu administration.
Oladejo said “some political leaders in the country are still carrying on, more than one year after the 2023 general elections, as if we are still in the electioneering period.”
AMGA
“As far as those political leaders are concerned, any action taken by the Administration is subject to politicisation, as they never see anything good in whatever action taken or not taken by the government.
“The people should be careful not to play into the hands of politicians who had never seen anything good in the Administration. These are the political leaders who still carry on, more than one year after the 2023 general elections, as if we are still in the electioneering period.
“To them, any action taken by the Administration is subject to politicization, as they never see anything good in whatever action taken or not taken by the government,” he added.
Oladejo said: “Even though somehow harsh, the government’s economic policies are meant to correct the maladministration of the past and put the country on a firm economic footing”.
The NSCIA Deputy President General however tasked the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration to be decisive on all issues, which can pitch a section of the country against the other.
“On the proposed Tax Reform Bill, I urge Mr. President to listen to the outcries from various groups and sections of the country.
“The current economic situation in the country requires serious caution to handle. The government should show more human feelings and put measures in place to mitigate the general suffering wrought on the citizenry by some of the economic policies.
“Although we recognise the fact that the situation is not the creation of the Tinubu Administration, the government should do all in its powers to alleviate the sufferings of the people. That is the reason Nigerians overwhelmingly voted this government into office in the 2023 election, and the President should have no reason not to make life comfortable for the people,” he said.
Olubadan’s charge
In a related development, the Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin on Sunday charged the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar to continue to promote religious harmony and tolerance across Nigeria.
Oba Olakulehin gave the charge while receiving the Sultan of Sokoto into his palace at Oke Aremo Ibadan area of Ibadan during a courtesy visit.
Speaking through the Ekaarun Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief (Senator) Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, the Olubadan stressed that Sultan S’aad Abubakar should continue to play the positive roles he has been playing in the promotion of religious tolerance in the country.
“The Olubadan thanks you for the roles you have been playing in preaching religious tolerance and harmony in the country. The Olubadan implores you to continue to play your role as the co-chairman of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). The Olubadan appreciates your attendance at his coronation in July this year. He also appreciates your visit today,” he said.
The Sultan of Sokoto while speaking earlier wished Oba Olakulehin more years on the throne.
He stressed that he had visited Ibadan more than any other city in the South West region.
“I wish Olubadan more years on the throne. As I said earlier, I am not new to Ibadan. We are all brothers,” he said.
The Sultan was accompanied to the Olubadan palace by the deputy governor of Oyo, Barr Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, President of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) and Deputy President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo and other leaders of the organisation.