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The Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammed Abubakar Sa’ad III, articulated that traditional rulers do not view state governors with fear, but instead, regard them with respect due to the authority they wield within their states.
His remarks suggest that while traditional leadership is rooted in cultural heritage and influence, it does not conflict with the constitutional power of state governors, with both entities operating within their distinct spheres of influence.
The Sultan of Sokoto observed that traditional rulers have existed far earlier than the 1914 amalgamation or Nigeria’s independence in 1960, this underscores the deep historical roots they have within the country.
He added that these monarchs, as custodians of tradition and history, have a more profound and nuanced understanding of Nigeria, offering invaluable insights into its evolution and future trajectory.
The Sultan shared his insights at a stakeholders’ roundtable that centered on the development of Northern Nigerian youth. Organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, the event took place in Abuja on Tuesday, gathering influential voices to deliberate on the challenges and opportunities for youth in the north.
The former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, had once suggested that traditional rulers, in their interactions with state governors, often felt a sense of fear, a sentiment that highlighted the complex dynamics between political and traditional authority in the region.
In response, the Sultan said, “I heard that traditional rulers are afraid of their governors. No, traditional rulers are not afraid of the governors. Traditional rulers are only respecting themselves, respecting the governors who have authority in the various states, not fear.”
Read also: Sultan Says No To Cursing Leaders, Calls For Patience
“Whenever anything is done, we don’t give up. We leave everything to Almighty Allah, who brought changes to the world and we accept changes as there are.
“Because we all knew, before the governors came to be, our institutions had been ruling present Nigeria since 1914. There was no Nigeria then before we got independence in 1960. So we have more stake as traditional leaders in the country because we know what our people feel and we are honest with them and we don’t run away whenever anything happens.”
In recent years, several governors have made headlines for deposing traditional rulers, often as a result of political conflicts, raising questions about the stability and balance of power between elected officials and the monarchs they govern.
However, monarchs are canvassing to be given roles in government to be specified by the Constitution.
