Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, has refuted assertions that Islam aims to dominate Nigeria’s political landscape, emphasizing instead that the religion advocates for ethical leadership and sound governance.
The Sultan shared these insights on Friday in Abuja during the launch of the book Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, penned by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor.
Addressing a comment made by Bishop Matthew Kukah regarding “Islamism,” the Sultan clarified that the term is frequently misinterpreted and misused in public conversations.
“Islamism does not equate to a struggle for political control. The essence of Islam is to promote effective and just governance,” he stated. “During President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, we consistently supported his leadership, and there was no public criticism from our side. He can confirm this.”
The Sultan also reflected on how his previous remarks about Islam and leadership have been mistakenly viewed as political commentary. He recalled an incident in 2011 when he was accused of opposing former President Muhammadu Buhari’s bid for a second term after delivering a lecture on the duties of Muslim leaders.
“In September 2019, I addressed the topic of Islam and responsible governance as President Buhari was gearing up for his second term. The following day, media headlines suggested I was criticizing him, but my intention was solely to highlight the ethical standards Islam expects from those in power,” he clarified.
He reiterated that Islam fundamentally prioritizes justice, transparency, and the well-being of the populace, rather than the acquisition of political authority.
