The Sokoto State government has clapped back at the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) over its warning to the government against the dethroning of the Sultan of Sokoto, News About Nigeria reports.
The press secretary to Governor Abubakar Bawa made this known in a statement on Tuesday.
He noted that the publication of the MURIC, alleging a plot by the government to dethrone his eminence as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, is malicious and false.
Recall that MURIC warned the state government on Monday against going on with the conspiracy and plans to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto.
The organisation stated that any plans to dethrone the Sultan will be met with force from there, adding that the Sultan represents not only the traditional stool but also the religious aspect of all Nigerians.
However, reacting to this, the Sokoto State Government stated that it is baffled that a body like MURIC, claiming to be protecting the rights of the Muslims, would descend so low and cheaply as to join hands with deluded mischief makers and enemies of progress to fabricate such a false and unsubstantiated story.
According to Bawa, the allegation was just to create an unfriendly atmosphere and fear in the minds of the law-abiding and peaceful citizens of the state.
“We believe that MURIC is not the type that will be dancing to the tunes of enemies and mischief makers who are trying to take away the attention of the good people of Sokoto State and Nigerians on the transformative initiatives taking place in Sokoto State over the last year.”
“We also like to assure MURIC that the present administration, just like the previous administrations in the state, cherishes and respects the Sultanate Council long before MURIC was established.”
“The Sultanate Council, which has a long-standing historical importance, is so revered by all the people of Sokoto State; therefore, we still hold the institution in very high regards and esteem,” the statement reads in part.
He further noted that the malicious report is the handiwork of nefarious detractors and distracting enemies of progress, adding that they have not relented in their failed efforts to smear the cordial relationship existing between the state government and the Sultanate Council.
He maintained that MURIC should have cared to find out if there was ever any query, warning, or any threatening documents served on the sultan by the state government before giving its warning.
“We equally like to remind MURIC that promoting Islamic affairs is the second item on Ahmed Aliyu’s nine-point Smart Agenda; therefore, Islam means so much to the present administration, coupled with the fact that Sokoto, being the Seat of the Caliphate, is a 100 percent Muslim-dominated society,” Bawa added.
