Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has echoed the current Vice President Kashim Shettima’s sentiments on the importance of treating the Sultan of Sokoto and other royal figures with respect and without arbitrariness.
In a post on his X handle, @atiku, on Tuesday, Atiku expressed concern over rumors of the possible dethronement of Sultan Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar and criticized state governors for allegedly distorting the process of installing traditional rulers.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stated: “Recent developments in the country have seen a growing tendency of state governments exerting influence in distorting the modalities of enthroning traditional stools. This reality is evident across the country. While traditional rulership is under the exclusive purview of state governments through local authorities, it is crucial to recognize that these institutions form a vital component of our governance structure. Traditional institutions must be protected from the arbitrariness of state governments to maintain stability, peace, and orderliness in communities.”
Atiku emphasized the historical significance of traditional institutions, noting that they were the governance structures before colonialism and performed their roles effectively. He advocated for constitutional reforms to recognize traditional institutions in the legal framework and clearly define their responsibilities, particularly in the context of addressing local security challenges.
He concluded by urging state governors to respect the offices of traditional rulers, stating: “The customs that our traditional rulers represent embody the totality of our heritage as a people.”
Vice President Shettima had earlier warned the Sokoto State government against any attempt to remove the Sultan from his throne. Speaking at the Northwest Security Summit in Katsina, Shettima underscored the importance of the Sultan as an institution that needs to be safeguarded for the nation’s growth.
However, the Sokoto State government denied any move to dethrone the Sultan. A statement by Governor Aliyu’s spokesman, Abubakar Bawa, criticized Shettima for not consulting with the governor before making public statements. The statement asserted that there had been no threats or attempts to sack the Sultan and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the dignity of the sultanate council.
“We cherish and adore the sultanate council and will do everything possible to protect its dignity,” the statement read, reassuring Nigerians of the government’s dedication to the revered institution.
