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.
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.”
Responding to his tweet, another twitter user, Prince Enny AbuAmal.@enniythommy, wrote, “Don’t politicize Islam and cause division among Nigerian Muslims with this foolery epistle. The southerner Muslims are not slavish as far as Islamic is concerned. For now, he’s the supreme head no need to distort Islamic history in Nigeria whether it was Iwo/Iseyin that Islam began in Nigeria.”
Another user, Àgbà Akin @Kynsofficial, also responded, “You are conservative, it’s good and I like it, but I disagree with this my brother.”
Abdlateef ¢ @AbdulateefAdek3 also wrote
“Baba just leave this matter. Every country in the world as a supreme leader in religion affairs. Sultan being chosen doesn’t necessarily means he rule over all us. Also what bad if the sultan is the head of Muslims in Nigeria. This is bigotry from you.”
Below are other diverging views on the subject matter as tweeted by the users:
Ewatomi @OduduwaBack
“The Sultan of Sokoto IS NOT our Islamic Leader in Yoruba land, it is the AARE MUSULUMI. You are free to subject yourself to Colonialism through Northern Political Islam, that’s your own choice.”
“I have always supported this point of view Let every ethnicity in Nigeria get to be the Head of Muslims in Nigeria and not just the Fulani Fulani cannot have monopoly of the Headship of Muslims in Nigeria because Islam predated Fulani migration to present day Nigeria.”
“I think the president should work to create the Muslim Association of Nigeria (MUAN) or something similar, whose leadership will be rotated amongst every group in Nigeria, instead of pegging the leadership of the religion to a monarch of a single group.”
“They failed to understand that the Sultan became the supreme leader not because he is better than Alaafin or any other Muslim ruler, but by inheriting the throne of Dan Fodiyo. Despite Islam reaching Borno earlier than Sokoto, we are not complaining about the current arrangement.”
Obìnrin Àkànse @blockofbuilder
“We are from the family of the league of imams in Yorubaland and we are telling you that our ancestors did not answer to Sokoto, our progenitors like the Lanase, Apampa, Ayede, etc did not answered to Sokoto. Only one conquest happened in Nigeria that created a common government that was the British conquest. If you don’t conquer a people you cannot dictate their spirituality. The Yoruba have their own league of imams and since childhood I was taught that we do not answer to Sokoto – some of us have very great pedigree that instilled in us proper education so we don’t become slaves.”
“I am sure you don’t have the knowledge of how the NSCIA was established. It was actually established by a group of Muslims leaders who were majority Yorubas. Sometime people like you confused JNI with NSCIA. Sultan was unanimous selected as the chairman. He was not impressed.”
Muslim News Nigeria @muslimnews_NG
“NO DISPUTE 1. Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Saad is the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. He is the leader of Muslims in Nigeria, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo is the Deputy President-General of
Sodeke hutman @southpole001
“I hope you aware that there is a council of imams and he is just an elected leader. And also, that this arrangement is just for us all (Muslim) to have one voice on issues that concern us irrespective of tribe or region. He is only a public rep for the council.”
Hussein Shuarau @shuarau_hussein
“I know we’ll get posts like this in this period. But look, it’s simple. Sultan is not the number 1 Muslim . He is, however, the most recognised. Please, leave this unfruitful and seemingly endless argument and face your religion.”
Bello Abubakar A. @bellotec
“Sultan is our leader, that is fact and factual. If you are a Muslim and in Nigeria, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar is your leader. Take it or leave it.”
Marcussy associates @marcussyas79450
“I think Nigerians should keep all this religion believes to themselves individually, and stop all this useless unproductive agenda. And face & discuss Productives narratives that will help the generalities of the country grow and prosper.”
“Both Sultan and Aare Musulumi are our religion leaders. We are proud of them both. We have too many challenges in this country already. You’re just adding to it. Leadership is not only a privilege, it is also a burden! Nobody should come for me o, I am fasting.”