MURIC seek immunity for Sultan from deposition

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has call for the repealing of laws making it possible for the deposition of any Sultan of Sokoto.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of MURIC Professor Ishaq Akintola, while felicitating with the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on his 10 years of enthronement.

Also, the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) in a separate statement signed on Wednesday by its National President Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Balogun also felicitated with the Sultan on his anniversary.

MURIC statement reads: "There is no gainsaying the fact that the current Sultan is a great asset to the people of Sokoto, the North and Nigeria as a whole. We therefore charge the Sokoto State Government to give special recognition and a befitting status to Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III. This can be done by repealing Section 6 Cap 26 of the Laws of Northern Nigeria which empowers the state governor to depose any ruling Sultan.”

"Without prejudice to the executive powers of the governor of Sokoto State, we contend that since Article 7 (a) of the constitution of the NSCIA confers the leadership of Nigerian Muslims on the Sultan of Sokoto, the latter’s office and status transcends the Sokoto Sultanate. He is the bona fide head of all Muslims in the country. Therefore the deposition of a Sultan has far-reaching implications. Apart from being an embarrassment of no little dimension to Nigerian Muslims, it is capable of causing both religious and constitutional crisis," Akintola said.

He urged members of the Sokoto State House of Assembly to set the machinery in motion for the amendment of the Chieftaincy Laws of Sokoto State to exempt the Sultan from the dethronement clause as a mark of respect for Nigerian Muslims.

While commending Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State for supporting the Sultan, he urged him and other Northern governors to increase their support for the Sultan and Nigerian Muslims to continue to cooperate with the Sultan in appreciation of the latter’s unequalled and exemplary leadership.

On its part, the MMPN said it is joyful for Nigerian Muslims since the Sultan ascended the throne 10 years ago, Muslims in the country have witnessed unprecedented leadership style which has endeared him to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

"As series of activities were lined up to commemorate his decade of service to humanity, we urge all to use the occasion to pray fervently to Allah (SWT) for the best in this World and the best in the Hereafter for our eminence and members of his sultanate. Equally, we want to use the opportunity to urge all Nigerians to pray for all our leaders and our country for Allah to grant us the much- needed peace, security, stability and prosperity," Balogun said.