The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Wednesday urged President Bola Tinubu, the 36 state governors, and other political leaders to heed the cries of Nigerians.
He cautioned that rather than “beating Nigerians with koboko” when they express concerns or grievances about the state of the nation, leaders should respond with empathy and reassure citizens that things will improve.
Speaking in Abuja during the launch of the NASFAT History Book to mark the organisation’s 30th anniversary, the Sultan also stressed the need for justice to take precedence over injustice in governance.
His remarks come amid growing hardship in the country, with rising costs of basic goods linked to subsidy removal, the floating of the naira, and other economic policies.
The revered religious leader also lamented the poor state of education among Nigerian youths and urged citizens to pray for their leaders instead of cursing them.
“I call on our leaders to look at all of us with that sympathy of father and child. Whatever problems you are having, whatever cries you are hearing, don’t carry koboko and wipe people. Carry some soft hands and touch somebody and say look, things will be okay,” he said.
He also stressed that Nigeria cannot endure injustice if it is to survive, and that leaders at all levels must prioritise justice and fairness in all their dealings, while urging Nigerians to turn to God.
Sultan added, “Justice is the foundation of any society. As Sheikh Abdulrauf said, a nation can endure with unbelief, but it cannot endure with injustice. So let’s face justice in whatever we do.
“Our leaders, our followers, all need to be just in whatever we do. And I believe, conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it. Conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it.
“Let’s tell ourselves the whole truth in whatever we do, how we do things. And let’s believe in almighty Allah as the owner of heaven and earth, as owner of everything and all of us, who brought us into this world to worship him.
“So, keep on doing the good work, and leave the rest to almighty Allah to bless all of us, as Muslims, as non-Muslims in this great country. Let’s pray for our leaders every time.
“From Mr. President, to all the governors, to all the local men chairman, to all our leaders at all levels. We need to pray for our leaders to do right, to do just. If you pray for your leader, he does good things, you enjoy.
“If you are lying to his whims and caprices, he does bad things, you will suffer. So let’s all just pray for our leaders. I want to say this, every time I have an opportunity like this, I want to say please pray for our leaders, for good health, for direction, and for that steadfastness of knowing that you as a leader, you will account for whatever you have done on earth to the almighty Allah.
“People say yes, times are tough, yes. But when times are tough, tough people overcome such tough times. Let’s believe whatever almighty Allah bless on us is his own will, his own wish, and we will overcome this.
“And I believe 100% almighty Allah will bring ease to all of us in this great country and beyond. Let’s go back to him and him alone. Only him can give. Only him takes.”
