The Nigerian Muslim leaders, under the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), have pledged to defend the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, from any perceived disrespect by the Sokoto State Government.
This resolve was made clear during an important meeting held on July 2nd in Abuja by the General Purpose Committee (GPC) of the NSCIA.
The meeting, chaired by NSCIA Secretary-General Professor Ishaq Oloyede, issued a communiqué in which it reaffirmed the Council’s unwavering support for Sultan Abubakar’s leadership and recognized his significant contributions to Islam and the Nigerian Muslim community.
Attendees of the meeting informed Premium Times that the committee committed to employing all legal and legitimate methods to protect the Sultan from any form of humiliation or disrespect, regardless of the source.
The committee’s firm stance is a reaction to recent legislative actions by the Sokoto State Government, which introduced a bill to the state’s House of Assembly aimed at changing the rules for appointing traditional rulers.
Critics argue that, if enacted, this bill would undermine the Sultan’s authority by necessitating government approval for appointing kingmakers and district heads, an act perceived as disrespectful to Sultan Abubakar.
This situation brings back memories of past disputes, notably the deposition of Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki in 1996 during Sani Abacha’s military regime.
Despite these concerns, the Sokoto State Government has dismissed them as baseless accusations from “mischief makers” and asserted that its relationship with the Sultanate Council remains cordial.
The NSCIA, through its General Purpose Committee, has strongly advised political and government leaders at all levels to maintain respect for traditional and religious institutions, especially those intertwined with Islamic leadership.
The committee emphasized that respecting these institutions is vital for preserving cultural and religious heritage, which is fundamental to ensuring sustainable peace and national development.
According to Premium Times, while Sultan Abubakar was not present at the meeting, Secretary General Oloyede confirmed that a formal communiqué detailing the committee’s resolutions would be released soon.
In the meantime, attendees of the meeting expressed their readiness to mobilize the Muslim faithful nationwide should the state government continue on what they perceive as a disrespectful path towards the country’s preeminent Muslim leader.
“The Sokoto State government should realise that the Sultan is not just a traditional ruler; he is a religious figure of national and international repute,” one attendee said, asking not to be named because he had no permission to discuss deliberations at the meeting with journalists. “We will not allow anyone to humiliate him in any way when he has done nothing wrong.”
Earlier, the Expanded General Purpose Committee (EGPC) of the NSCIA expressed its support for the Sultan and applauded his bridge-building efforts across regional and religious divides for national peace and cohesion.
The EGPC meeting, which was held on 30 June and attended by most of its members, was presided over by the Sultan and the two Deputy Presidents-General: the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar El-Kanemi, and Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo.
Prominent among the traditional rulers at the meeting were the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli; Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar; Emir of Kazaure, Najib Adamu; and Emir of Gummi, Justice Lawal Gummi.
Other members at the well-attended meeting included present and past senior members of both the bench and the bar, current and former ministers, heads of agencies, both private and public, captains of industries and respected scholars at the various strata of the educational system.
At the end of the meeting, the EGPC discussed the perceived disrespect of Sultan Abubakar by authorities in his home state of Sokoto.
But to avoid the Sultan being a judge in his own case, the matter was referred to the NSCIA’s GPC, led by Secretary General Oloyede. The body, which met on July 2, 2024, resolved to resist any disrespect to the leadership of the Muslim Ummah by anyone or authority.
See details of the communiqué below:
NSCIA/HQ/PRS/070Date: 30th Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH, 6th July 2024
BEING THE COMMUNIQUE OF THE NIGERIAN SUPREME COUNCIL FOR ISLAMIC AFFAIRS (NSCIA) AT THE 9TH EXPANDED GENERAL PURPOSE COMMITTEE (EGPC) MEETING HELD ON SUNDAY JUNE 30, 2024, AT THE CONFERENCE HALL OF THE NATIONAL MOSQUE, ABUJA
Preamble
The meeting of the Expanded General Purpose Committee (EGPC), which was attended by most of its members, was, as usual, presided over by His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of NSCIA, assisted by the two Deputies President-General, His Royal Highness, the Shehu of Borno, Alh. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, CFR and Alh. Rasaki Oladejo, FCS.
Prominent among the traditional rulers at the meeting were their Highnesses, Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR; Etsu Nupe, Alh. Yahaya Abubakar, CFR; Emir of Kazaure, Alh. Najib Hussaini Adamu, CON; and Emir of Gummi, Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi (Rtd), OFR.
Other members at the well-attended meeting included present and past senior members of both the bench and the bar, current and former ministers, heads of agencies both private and public, captains of industries and respected scholars at the various strata of the educational system.
Resolutions
At the end of the meeting, the following resolutions were passed:
1. Members of the EGPC reiterated their absolute confidence in the President General and Sultan of Sokoto for his exemplary leadership and committed service to Islam and the Nigerian Muslim Ummah, and particularly applauded his bridge-building efforts across regional and religious divides for national peace and cohesion.
2. The meeting referred to the General Purpose Committee (GPC), under the chairmanship of the Secretary-General, the synthesisation and articulation of the general feelings of members about the perceived disrespect to the leadership of the Ummah by certain authorities. The GPC was then mandated to act on the matter on behalf of the EGPC and the General Assembly.
3. While expressing grief over the upsurge of terrorist attacks in some parts of the country, the meeting reiterated the position of the NSCIA that government at all levels, particularly at the local government level, should re-energise intelligence gathering as a complement to the laudable efforts of our armed forces and security agencies.
4. It was also resolved that insecurity is by far the most existential matter of concern to the Nigerian nation, as it also poses a great danger to food security in the country. Therefore, the meeting urged the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, increase the current laudable tempo of curtailing insecurity in the country.
5. The meeting applauded the efforts of the Federal Government thus far, especially on alleviating poverty and food shortage in the country and urged government at all levels to address the high cost of living occasioned by increased costs of food and energy.
6. Members expressed diverse opinions on the appropriateness or otherwise of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria. A committee of scientists and scholars was set up to consider, among other sources, the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC)’s panel submission on GMOs and advise the Council on the appropriateness or otherwise of GMOs.
7. The need was reiterated for establishing an efficient channel of communication between the Government and the NSCIA, as the highest representative body of the Muslim Ummah, in order to facilitate a better understanding of and consequently adequate support for government policies and programmes. A case in point was the misconstrued outstanding obligation of the Federal Government towards 2024 Hajj depositors for foreign exchange prior to the increase in the exchange rate to honour the obligation to which the government had been committed before the increase. The honouring of such an obligation for which the Ummah was very grateful was misconstrued in some quarters as unwarranted favour to the Ummah.
8. The meeting also ratified the report of its Fatwa Committee on controversies in determining the minimum amount payable as dowry (sadaq) and reaffirmed that it is ¼ dinar, which today is equivalent to about N118,000, or any amount mutually agreed by the couple or/ and their guardians, irrespective of whether or not it is lower or higher than the #118,000.
9. The meeting also viewed the Imamship/ Obaship tussle in Ogbomoso land as being of serious concern and set up a committee under the Secretary-General to look into it and report back to the Council.
10. In view of the serious concerns raised by some important stakeholders on the conduct of Hajj 2024, the meeting resolved to await the formal report on the exercise from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The meeting also approved the convening of a National Hajj Summit to discuss the matter.
11. The meeting offered prayers for the peace, stability and unity of the country, and for Allah’s guidance for the country’s leaders and protection for the citizens.
12. Addendum
Arising from the mandate in 2 above, the GPC met on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, under the leadership of the Secretary-General and resolved that:
The NSCIA is strongly advising government and political leaders at all levels to continue to accord the traditional institution and its holders the due respect that they deserve, especially where such is combined with Islamic leadership. This is in order to ensure the protection of our cultural and religious heritage for sustainable peace and national development.
The Muslim Ummah in Nigeria, long before independence, unanimously resolved to entrust its leadership to an established Islamic institution that Muslims all over the country believe would always command the desired respect and attract the highest regards of reasonable all and sundry.
It, therefore, behoves the custodians of such institution to also reciprocate by acting in a manner that shows, both in words and deed, respect for Islam, its institution and the feelings of the generality of the Ummah. Any iota of disrespect to the institution is a direct affront on the Faith and its adherents.
Signed…..
Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, CON, FNAL
Secretary-General
For and on behalf of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs
Source: The Defender
