ADO-EKITI, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Sultan of Sokoto and President Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs , Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, was the special guest at the Ekiti Government House, where he charged political office holders to see their respective positions as trust and not to pursue any selective agenda.
Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar
During the visit, the Sultan also urged Fayose to continue to carry the people along in his leadership role and treat all ethnic nationalities and religious organizations as equal entities, for the State and Nigeria to move to a higher pedestal in all spheres.
He said: “As leaders, we owe it a duty to lead by example and with the fear of God. If you are a leader, it is left for you to work your way to hell or heaven. God believes strongly in leadership, that is why people must continue to support them rather than fighting them.
The Sultan’s courtesy call on Fayose was part of the programmes lined up for the investiture of the chief Imams of Ekiti, Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere as the President General, League of Imams in the Southwest , Edo and Delta States.
“I want Governor Fayose to treat all the various nationalities and religions in Ekiti as one. You must be just in handling their affairs. When there is injustice, no development can take place. When we are just, then there will be security in the society .
“I know that governor Fayose is well loved by the people, but he must continue to work hard for people and most importantly God to love him more”, he advised.
Full text of Governor Fayose’s during Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar’s courtesy visit
I welcome our spiritual leader of the Muslim faith in Nigeria, who happens to be the first Sultan to visit Ekiti State and coincidentally in my time and tenure.
We thank you for supporting the investiture of our father and Muslim spiritual leader in Ekiti State, Alhaji Jamiu Kewulere who is a man well deserving of the position.
Your presence and visit portray hope for us all, particularly the Muslim faith. You symbolize unity, truth and hope for a better Nigeria. With your position as the Sultan, I am sure you are God’s eye in Nigeria, and should be fearless, just and courageous enough to defend the truth and the oppressed.
I take the opportunity of your visit to bare my mind on some national concerns, particularly as it affects the unlawful incarceration of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) .
President Buhari has proved me right by my claims before the election that Nigeria is in the making of a dictator if he is voted into power.
By choosing which orders of the court to be obeyed, the President has exhibited his great disdain and disrespect to the judiciary as an independent arm of government and as the last hope of a common man.
The continuous siege on the residence of the former NSA against a court order is a clear manifestation of fundamental human right abuse.
Regrettably, honourable men and women that are supposed to speak against such infractions kept mute. A renowned philosopher, Edmund Burke once said, “all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”
The current travail of the former NSA and the continuous siege on his residence, despite a court order granting him permission to travel is a sad development and a setback in the history of Nigeria. If the President flouts court orders with impunity, judicial independence will be fatally compromised and Nigeria’s embryonic democracy is a great danger.
Of more importance and concern is the blackmail, intimidation and subtle harassment of lawyers and judges by the Buhari administration in an attempt to have innocent men convicted at all cost. The President has left nobody in doubt that the former NSA cannot get a fair hearing.
While we must all stand against corruption it must be pursued within the dictates of the law.
We hereby call on the International community to support the independent human rights observers who are to monitor former NSA’s prosecution and trial, President Buhari should honour his vow to follow due process and the rule of law. The stakes are too high to remain silent.
Credit: Daily Independent (Nigeria) / Unic Press UK
