•Advises Muslims to fast Oct 3 for God’s intervention on insecurity
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111, yesterday reiterated his call on politicians in the country irrespective of party affiliation, to shun selfishness and join hands together to salvage the nation, saying they should stop politics of hatred and personalities ahead of 2015.
He also stated that the war against insurgents in the North-east was succeeding and urged Muslims in the country, to conduct a fast on October 3, to seek for God’s intervention and mercy over the security situation in the polity.
The monarch made the call shortly after turbanning the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, as Mutawallen Sokoto; Speaker of Sokoto House of Assembly, Lawali Zayyana, and three others in his palace in Sokoto.
He underscored the need for politicians irrespective of the parties they belong, to close ranks and work for the interest of Nigerians rather than working for their selfish interest.
The monarch maintained that Nigeria should be the agenda of politicians rather than politics of ethnicity, religion and personalities.
“To all our politicians that gathered here, you should eschew bitterness and politics of hatred but join hands together for the peace and unity of the country. Politics of hatred should not be the case in 2015.
“Leaders must work for the people and not the other way round. Politics is not a do or die affair and whoever wins an election, the loser should congratulate and support him for the progress of the country,” the Sultan advised.
According to him, Nigeria is bigger than any politician and as such politicians should do whatever it takes to ensure peace and unity in the polity.
The spiritual leader noted that the ongoing war on insurgency and terrorism was succeeding; saying more could be achieved with unity of Nigerians.
“We know the insecurity facing us and now we have seen changes in the fight against terrorism. So, we must come together to fight terrorism irrespective of tribe or party affiliation,” the monarch stated.
He admonished politicians to shun political leanings when dealing with issues of insecurity and to come together to fight terrorism. He however, stressed the need for the Federal Government to carry all Nigerians along in the fight against terrorism in the country.
The Sultan said the title of Mutawallen Sokoto was bestowed on Tambuwal due to his commitment, loyalty and dedication to the service of people in the state and Nigeria.
He stated that the five personalities were recognised and turbanned because of their sterling qualities, adding that they had distinguished themselves in their areas of human endeavour.
The Sultan therefore, called on Muslims to fast next week Friday and pray fervently for God’s intervention on the security challenge bedeviling the country.
In a remark, the Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, expressed gratitude to the Sultan for finding them worthy of the titles.
The five persons turbanned by the Sultan include Tambuwal as Mutawallen Sokoto; Zayyana as Sarkin Gobir Gwadabawa; Kabir Tafida as Sarkin Fadan Sokoto; Aminu Abdullahin as Iyan Sokoto, and Fodio Aliyu as Wambai Sokoto.
The turbanning ceremony was graced by former Head of State, Gen. Muhammad Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Sokoto Governor Aliyu Wamakko, Kano state governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi, Kwara governor Abdulfatai Ahmed and Nasarawa governor Tanko Almakura.
Source: Thisday
