Vice-President Kashim Shettima has expressed concern over an alleged plot by the government of Sokoto State to depose the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
Shettima was reacting to the recent rumour that Governor Ahmed Aliyu after deposing 15 traditional rulers for various offences, has a plan to remove the Sultan of Sokoto.
The Vice President of Nigeria stressed the need for the government of Sokoto State to be guarded jealously over the royal seat in the state for the interest of peace and the overall development of the country.
The nation’s number two citizen said this at the ongoing North West Peace and Security Summit, which was being broadcast live on TV.
"In all developmental issues in this country, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, I want to use him as a point of reference to recognise and appreciate all our royal fathers present here.
“And to the deputy governor of Sokoto, I have a simple message for you, Yes, the Sultan is the Sultan of Sokoto, but he is much more than that; he represents an idea, he is an Institution, that all of us in this country need to jealousy guard, protect, promote, preserve and project for the growth of our nation,” Shettima said.
Shettima stated this after the Executive Director of the Muslim Rights Council (MURIC), Prof. Isiaq Akintola, raised the alarm that the Sokoto government allegedly plotted to depose the Sultan.