The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has denied claim that he has asked Nigerians to vote for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
The Sultan said this while dismissing viral claims on some social media platforms that he had asked Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in a statement signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka on behalf of his media team on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the Sultan, as the father of all, cannot make such a statement either publicly or in any other forum.
The media team therefore urged Nigerians to disregard and condemn the claim which it described as ‘a malicious and unpatriotic attempt to drag the revered personality of the Sultan into partisan politics for selfish interests.’
The media team asserted that the Sultan’s position as a traditional and religious leader requires him to remain impartial and accessible to all Nigerians, irrespective of their political affiliations.
‘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 added that attempts to portray the Sultan as supporting the political ambition or campaign of any individual ahead of the 2027 general elections should be rejected.
It added that the Sultan remains committed to promoting peace, unity, stability and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, regardless of ethnic, religious or political differences.
The media team also urged journalists and social media users to verify information before sharing reports capable of misleading the public or drawing traditional and religious institutions into partisan political disputes.