Nigeria’s sultan of Sokoto calls for peace and unity

By Rafiu Ajakaye

SOKOTO, Nigeria (AA) - Events commemorating the 10th anniversary of Nigeria’s influential Sultan of Sokoto climaxed on Saturday with the country's most senior political and traditional elites gathering to witness a grand durbar held in his honor.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a south-westerner who governed Nigeria between 1999 and 2007, led governors and first-class emirs from the northern region in kicking off the durbar, which is an over 500-year-old cultural event involving horse riding.

Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal said the event helped to confirm the relevance of the sultan, his efforts to unite the country, as well as commitment of most Nigerians to peace.

At least a thousand horses and camels took part in the durbar in the northwestern Sokoto state.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara as well as many state governors, ministers, diplomats and over 100 senior traditional chiefs from across Nigeria attended the event.

“I join fellow Nigerians to congratulate your eminence on this day,” Buhari said in his message at the event, referring to Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, who is heir to the throne of the 19th century Sokoto caliphate founded by Muslim reformer Sheikh Othman bin Fodio.

"It is an indisputable fact that in the 60s, 70s and even in the early part of the 80s, Nigeria was reputed for its peaceful coexistence between the different ethnic and religious groups...however, the situation as we all know, has unfortunately changed.

"Events associated with the anniversary and importantly the relevance of value of the Caliphate system must be base for progressive and self-reliant nation where, every citizen, irrespective of creed or tribal affiliation is given opportunity for self-actualization," he added.

Over 100,000 people attended the durbar. There were also some reports of stampede at the event that left some people injured who were later treated at nearby hospitals.

Sultan Sa'ad Abubakar, in whose honor the ceremonies were held, said the event underlined the unity and brotherhood among various peoples of Nigeria.

“One lesson from here is the indivisibility of Nigeria as one entity. Today, we have people from the southeast and even the Niger Delta and from other parts of our great country,” according to the sultan.

“Those clamoring for division of Nigeria must watch this event. We have no other country but Nigeria and we will do everything within our ability to keep Nigeria united,” he added, pledging a stronger commitment to unity.

He, however, called on the leaders to pay attention to agitation in various parts of the country and to guarantee the rights of all citizens, saying their anger appears to have been instigated by oppression, poor governance, poverty and extremism.

“A nation can endure without faith but no nation can endure with injustice. Where there is injustice, there will be no development,” he added, quoting one of the caliphate’s triumvirate Sultan Muhammadu Bello.

The grand durbar was the climax of the chains of events that formally began on Wednesday with an international symposium on the Sokoto caliphate and its impacts within and beyond Nigeria since its collapse in 1904 following raids by British colonialists.

A special prayer for Nigeria was held on Friday, followed by a visit to the mausoleum of bin Fodio and then a dinner for dignitaries from across Nigeria.

Sultan Abubakar, 60, is the spiritual head of Nigeria’s Muslim population. He co-chairs the country's council of traditional chiefs with a first class king from southwest region Ooni Enitan Ogunwusi, who also attended the event.

Abubakar, a retired army brigadier general, was crowned the sultan on Nov. 2, 2006.