– The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III is not happy that Fulani hardsmen are being accused of every attack in the country
– He warned Nigerians against attributing all acts of violence to religion or tribe
– The Sultan said the elites were responsible for the nation’s challenges
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Sunday, July 3, advised Nigerians to stop bringing religion or tribalism to every act of violence.
Speaking during a dinner held in his palace in Sokoto for religious leaders, security agencies and media practitioners, the Sultan noted that Muslims are more marginalised in the country but they do not complain, This Day reports.
He wondered why Fulani herdsmen are being accused of every attack in the country, saying there were other people committing heinous crimes elsewhere but not linked to religion, ethnicity and region.
The Sultan said: “If criminals are doing bad things, they are criminals and they can be found anywhere in any religion and tribe. Therefore don’t add religious or tribal toga to any act of terrorism.
“Fulani men are only after their cattle not after any government or its policies and programmes. How can they carry weapons, to go and do what with it?
“When there is a vacant position and a Hausa man is appointed, we called it ‘northernisation and when a Muslim leader visit an Islamic country we say he is trying to islamise Nigeria.
“In fact, there are many people from other religion and tribes occupying other offices and we witness many Christian leaders who have visited Christian countries but nobody said they were planning to ‘Christianise’ the country.”
He blamed the elite for some of the challenges bedeviling Nigeria, saying they were the major problem of this country because of their selfishness.
“Whenever one loses power, he creates problem, and the masses are always at the receiving end,” he lamented.
The Sultan therefore, urged Nigerian leaders to stop inciting innocent people against their neigbours and ensure justice for all.
He called on Nigerians to always pray for the peace, unity and prosperity of the nation and for the leaders to be guided right in discharging their mandate.
Earlier, the Sultan had directed Muslims to search for crescent (new moon) of Shawwal today as they look towards the end of Ramadan fast.
The sighting of the new moon would mark the end of the Ramadan fast and hence commemorate the celebration of Eid-el Fitr.
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