Mixed reactions trail Sultan’s status as Leader of all Muslims in Nigeria

As Muslims all over the world begin Ramadan fast, there have been mixed reactions regarding the status of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, as the permanent leader of all Muslims in Nigeria. Sultan is regarded as the head of all Muslims in Nigeria due to his position as the President General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

However, following Sultan’s broadcast on Sunday night, announcing the sighting of Ramadan crescent and directing all Muslims to commence fast on Monday, some people have taken to their twitter (X) handles to question the rationale behind the decision to make Sultan of Sokoto the permanent President General of NSCIA and argued that the leadership should be on a rotational basis among all the ethnic groups in the country.

Sultan of Sokoto

On the other hand, some, also on twitter, argued that Islam is not a tribe, but a religion. They added that all Muslims are one big family irrespective of their tribal affiliation, and that there is nothing wrong in making Sultanate the recognized permanent head of all Muslims in Nigeria.

A twitter (X) user, Aare Kurunmi Kakanfo with handle @AKakanfo wrote:

“How is the Sultan of Sokoto the number one Muslim in Nigeria? What sort of political sophistry is that in the mouth of any young Yoruba politician??? NSCIA was created in 1973 by Northern Islamic organizations who used the Nigerian military junta to co-opt Southwest Muslims into it. Why do we have so many weak minded people in strategic positions in the South West at the moment??? Islam has been in Iwo and Iseyin for over 300 years before the birth of Dan Fodio. The Islamic empire of Borno had existed for 800 years before the existence of the Sokoto caliphate. So what number is the Shehu of Borno??? A lot of Yoruba people on social media are becoming irritating every day with their slavish comments on religious issues. Aare Musulumi of Yorùbáland is my Islamic leader not the Sultan of Sokoto because my ancestors did not get Islam from Sokoto. Sultan of Sokoto will never be my religious leader because I know my history not like these clowns. Islam in Yorubaland predates the existence of the Sokoto caliphate.

“Sultan is not the head of Yoruba Muslims. Aare Musulumi of Yorùbáland is the head of Muslims in Yorubaland. Islam in Yorubaland predates the existence of Nigeria. Islamic scholarship in Yorubaland predates the existence of the Sokoto caliphate. It is a social and political aberration for the Sultan of Sokoto to be the spiritual leader of Yoruba Muslims when we have been having Yoruba Muslims for over 700 years. It’s that simple.”