By Oscar Okhifo
The Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has dismissed as false reports circulating online that the revered monarch endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027, insisting that the Sultan has no preferred candidate in the forthcoming presidential election.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka, the media team described the viral claim as misleading and entirely unfounded, stressing that the Sultan neither urged Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election nor made such remarks in any public or private forum.
According to the statement, the Sultan’s role as a respected traditional and religious leader demands strict political neutrality, as he serves as a father figure to all Nigerians regardless of their political affiliation, ethnicity or religion.
“Our simple response to the report is that it is not possible for the Sultan, as the father of all, to make such a statement, either publicly or in any other forum,” the statement read.
The media team urged Nigerians to disregard what it described as “a malicious and unpatriotic attempt to drag the revered personality of the Sultan into partisan politics for selfish interests.”
It maintained that the Sultan’s position requires him to remain impartial and accessible to all Nigerians, irrespective of political leanings, noting that his interactions with political leaders should never be misconstrued as endorsements.
The statement explained that the Sultan regularly receives politicians and public office holders who seek his blessings, guidance and counsel, but such engagements are consistent with his role as a national father figure and not an indication of political support.
“Let it be made clear once again that the institutions of monarchy and religion led by the Sultan are institutions of a father figure. As such, His Eminence cannot but remain within the purview of that role by offering fatherly, royal and spiritual blessings, as well as guidance, to Nigerian politicians who seek his counsel and blessings.
“The Sultan’s doors cannot be shut against anyone who comes to him, regardless of political affiliation or persuasion. His Eminence has consistently demonstrated that he is the father of all and will continue to relate with all Nigerians without discrimination.”
The media team further cautioned against portraying the Sultan as supporting the political ambition, campaign or re-election bid of any aspirant ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that such claims are misleading and should be rejected by the public.
It reiterated the Sultan’s commitment to promoting peace, national unity, stability and harmonious coexistence among Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, religious or political differences.
The statement also called on journalists, bloggers and social media users to exercise restraint and verify information before publishing or sharing politically sensitive claims, warning that false reports involving traditional and religious institutions could inflame tensions and mislead the public.
As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum, the statement underscored the importance of traditional and religious leaders maintaining absolute neutrality. It noted that such leaders must have “no dog in the fight” and should avoid comments or actions that are ambiguous, susceptible to misinterpretation or capable of being exploited for partisan purposes.