Sultan of Sokoto Urges Religious Leaders to Guide with Integrity

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II, has urged religious leaders to refrain from misleading their followers for personal gain.

The Sultan emphasised that 90 percent of their adherents see them as saviours through God, highlighting the significant responsibility leaders have in guiding their communities with integrity.

He made the remarks during the Regional Conference on Climate Change-Induced Conflicts in Northern Nigeria, hosted by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith in collaboration with International Alert, on Monday.

“Do your best in worshiping Allah (God) and leave the rest to Him, not to anybody. Don’t follow those who will lead you astray. So many things have been happening in this country, and we believe we must return to Allah. Intensify prayers for our country in all mosques. I won’t mention churches because the CAN President is here, and I believe he will say the same thing,” he said.

The Sultan urged Nigerians to refrain from criticizing their leaders, encouraging them to trust that God will address the situation as He sees fit.

He emphasised that both good and bad times are temporary and encouraged the public to persist in their prayers for their leaders and the nation.

Additionally, the Sultan reminded leaders that they will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment, noting that no one will be able to defend them before their Creator.

Also Read: Clerics Commend Sultan Of Sokoto For Fostering National Unity

“A lot of people say we have never had it so bad, but no matter how difficult it is, ease will come. We believe nothing lasts forever. Nothing bad and nothing good lasts forever. Let us intensify prayers in our congregations and encourage our followers to pray for our leaders. We will not castigate them; we will allow Almighty Allah to deal with them as He wishes and He will.

“Like one of the speakers said, Allah will ask all of us what we did with the leadership He gave us on earth. On that day, you will be on your own; nobody will be there for you. No deputy governor will be there for the governor; no special adviser or SSG will be there. 

“You are on your own, as I always say. All of us will be on our own. Let us fear Allah in whatever we do and pray for our country. We are blessed; go around to other countries and see. We have challenges, yes, but nothing lasts forever. With hard work and commitment, we can become a better country.

“The North faces many problems and challenges—not only a lack of knowledge about climate change but also poverty, insecurity in the north known for progress and peace in the past.

“Our coming together is a unifying occasion for us as one family in the North. There are many misunderstandings and misrepresentations by those trying to divide us. They know that the strength of the North is something to reckon with, not only in Nigeria but worldwide.

“If we are united, we can face any challenge. If we are united, we will definitely create a better and more prosperous community. That’s why so many negative comments are made about certain issues that we know are not true but to divide us,” he said.

In his remarks, the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) , Most Reverend Dr. D.C. Okoh, said that climate change is a reality in the North, describing it as a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent attention. He advocated for addressing all sources of conflict, including poverty, inequality, and lack of access to resources.

While emphasizing the need to educate the public on the impacts of climate change and the importance of environmental stewardship.

Additionally, he joined the Sultan in urging leaders to tell the truth in their communities, affirming that Nigeria, a nation of deep religious conviction, can only succeed by praying and seeking divine assistance.