The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has said Islamic leaders will continue to draw the government’s attention to the difficulties Nigerians face and urge political leaders to improve their living conditions.
He spoke on Sunday at the grand finale of the centenary celebration of Az-Zumratul Adabiyyatul Kamaliyyah School of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Ilorin, Kwara State.
“As leaders of Islam, we are always aware of all the issues people are raising in the public domain. We will do our best and bring attention to the leaders on what they should do for the common man on the street,” the Sultan said.
The Sultan’s remarks followed the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) General Assembly in Abuja, where the council called for urgent measures to reduce food prices and transportation costs.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting on October 8, the NSCIA urged the government to accelerate measures to ease the financial burden on households.
The Nigerian government has said it is pursuing interventions to cushion the effects of rising petrol prices without restoring the fuel subsidy removed in 2023.
Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele also announced a 30-day petrol price relief arrangement at NNPC Retail stations. The government said the temporary discount would be funded through the company’s retail margin rather than public funds.
The Sultan also urged Nigerians to pray for President Bola Tinubu, state governors, local government chairpersons and other political leaders, expressing confidence that the country could overcome its challenges.
He said divine guidance was important in helping political leaders make decisions that would improve people’s living conditions.
The monarch further called on Muslims to promote peaceful coexistence and show love to their neighbours regardless of religious differences.
He also warned young people against allowing themselves to be recruited as political thugs, bandits or terrorists to serve the interests of individuals seeking political or financial gains.