Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has said political actors have begun making overtures to the council.
The Sultan, however, said the umbrella Islamic body would not be swayed, stressing that any engagement with politicians would be guided by the council’s core values and principles.
He spoke in Abuja on Thursday during the NSCIA General Assembly, the council’s highest decision-making body, which brought together leaders of Islamic organisations, State Councils for Islamic Affairs, public office holders and prominent Muslim figures.
Addressing delegates, the Sultan said political interests had begun reaching out to individual council members and sending official correspondence to the organisation as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
‘Some of our members are speaking to some of the election people who are sitting by the side. We tell them who we are, what we stand for, and we shall try to do the best that we can do,’ he said.
The Sultan urged the Muslim Ummah to maintain unity and present a common front on national issues.
He also announced plans to make the General Assembly an annual event to strengthen cohesion among Muslim organisations and leaders.
The assembly followed a special national prayer organised by the council at the Abuja National Mosque for peace, security, good governance and national unity.
At the prayer session, NSCIA Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged political actors to act with the fear of Allah and place the survival of the country above personal ambitions.
The council reaffirmed its commitment to national development, noting that leadership recruitment and promoting good governance remain part of its mandate.
It also outlined expectations for key sectors, including security, the economy, infrastructure and human capital development.