Vice-President Kashim Shettima has cautioned the government of Sokoto State on the romoured plan to depose the Sultan of Sokoto and the President General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.

Shettima, during the North West Peace and Security Summit in Katsina, said the Sultan represent much more than an Emir, but an institution who must be jealously guarded and project for the good of Nigeria.

“Our father who is a permanent picture in all developmental issues in this country, His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto. I want to use him as my point of reference to recognise and appreciate all our royal fathers present here.”

“And to the Deputy Governor of Sokoto, I have a simple message for you. Yes, the Sultan is the Sultan of Sokoto, but he is much more than that; he represents an idea. He is an institution that all of us in this country need to jealously guard, protect, promote, preserve and project for the good of our nation.”

Shettima spoke following the allegation from the Muslim Rights Council that the governor was planning to depose the Sultan.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu had earlier deposed 15 traditional rulers for various offences.

In his statement, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Director of MURIC, insisted that Nigerian Muslims would reject any thought of deposing the Sultan.

“Feelers in circulation indicate that the governor may descend on the Sultan of Sokoto any moment from now using any of the flimsy excuses used to dethrone the 15 traditional rulers whom he removed earlier.

“MURIC advises the governor to look before he leaps. The Sultan’s stool is not only traditional. It is also religious. In the same vein, his jurisdiction goes beyond Sokoto. It covers the whole of Nigeria. He is the spiritual head of all Nigerian Muslims.

“Therefore, any governor who tampers with the stool of the Sultan will have Nigerian Muslims to reckon with because the Sultan combines the office of the Sultan of Sokoto and that of the President General of the NSCIA,” Akintola said.

The Sokoto State Government is yet to react to MURIC’s allegation but it had earlier said there was a plan to amend section 76 of the local government and chieftaincy law to align with prevailing practices within the state.

Under the current law, the authority to appoint district and village heads lies with the Sultanate Council.

However, in practice, the Sultanate Council merely provides recommendations to the state government, with the governor ultimately making the appointments.