By Ajape Sefiu A.
The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), the official umbrella body for all Muslims in the South West of Nigeria, has condemned the alleged plot to depose the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and the national leader of all Muslims in Nigeria.
The group made the call in a statement signed by the President, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo (FCS) and made available to journalists on Monday.
According to the statement, ‘We believe that the information making the rounds in that regard is in the realm of rumour-mongering.
“For the records, be it known that we Yoruba Muslims hold Sultan Abubakar in the highest esteem. He has been a bridge-builder, successfully unifying the 150 million Nigerian Muslims from different cultural backgrounds.
“Beyond unifying Muslims in Nigeria, Sultan Abubakar also enjoys the friendship and honour of Christians, establishing unprecedented rapport with the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria.
“Since his ascension to the throne as Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, the nation has recorded over 90% reduction in inter-religious conflicts.
“For these reasons and others, Sultan Abubakar has earned the love of all as a proponent and actualizer of harmonious and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of all tribes and faiths.
“If there are differences between Sokoto State Government and the office of The Sultan, such differences should be amicably resolved, rather than bringing the person of our revered national leader, His Eminence Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, into disrepute.
“We still believe the alleged plot is a mere rumour. If it is true, however, we hereby express unequivocally our unflinching reverence and absolute support for our leader, the President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
“Yoruba Muslims absolutely queue and stand solidly behind our revered leader, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.”
