Sultan Of Sokoto Begs Nigerians For Prayer In Days After Rumoured Dead

In few days after being rumoured dead, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Mohammad Abubakar II, has appealed to Nigerians to keep praying for their leaders.

Dtruth Insights recalls that the rumour about his death quickly went on social in October 28, 2024.

However, on October 29, 2024, a senior Counselor in the Sultanate Council and Sa’in Kilgori, Dr Muhammadu Jabbi Kilgori, has debunked the rumour making rounds on the Sultan.

Speaking to Daily Trust on phone, he said “it is a fake news by some unscrupulous elements. We don’t know their motive. We don’t know what they want to achieve by fake news against the Sultan.

“But the Sultan is hale and hearty. I am right now with him. In fact, we just left Kaduna for Abuja where the Sultan is having another official engagement.

“Let the general republic disregard this story because it is not truth,” he added.

Earlier, a group known as Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) had also debunked the news.

In a statement, MPAC said, “We wish to notify the Ummah and address recent unfounded rumors concerning the supposed passing of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III.We unequivocally affirm that, Alhamdulillah, the Sultan is alive, in good health, and fully engaged in his esteemed responsibilities as a spiritual guide to millions in Nigeria and beyond.”

However, during the Regional Conference on Monday on Climate Change-Induced Conflicts in Northern Nigeria, hosted by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith in collaboration with International Alert, appealed to Nigerians to keep praying for leaders.

He advised religious leaders in the country, against misleading their followers for personal gain.

The monarch asked Nigerian to be praying for both the country, and their leaders instead of criticising them, stating that “nothing lasts forever.”

He asserted that with hard work and commitment, Nigeria would become a better country, adding that the North faces many problems not only a lack of awareness about climate change but also poverty and insecurity.

He said, “Do your best in worshipping Allah (God) and leave the rest to Him, not to anyone else. Don’t follow those who will lead you astray. 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.

“A lot of people say we have never had it so bad, but no matter how difficult things are, relief will come. We believe that nothing lasts forever — neither bad times nor good times.

“Let us intensify prayers in our congregations and encourage our followers to pray for our leaders. We will not criticise them; we will allow Almighty Allah to deal with them as He wishes, and He will.

“As one of the speakers said, Allah will ask all of us what we did with the leadership entrusted to us on earth. On that day, each of us will be alone; nobody will be there to support us. No deputy governor will stand for the governor; no special adviser or SSG will be there.

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

“The North faces many problems—not only a lack of awareness about climate change but also poverty and insecurity in a region once known for progress and peace.

“Our gathering here is a unifying event for us as one family in the North. There are many misunderstandings and misrepresentations from those trying to divide us. They know the North’s strength is significant, not only in Nigeria but globally.

“If we are united, we can confront any challenge. If we are united, we will create a better and more prosperous community. That’s why so many negative comments are made about certain issues—comments we know are untrue but are intended to divide us.”

In his remarks, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Most Reverend Dr D.C. Okoh, acknowledged that climate change is a reality in the North, describing it as a humanitarian crisis requiring urgent attention.

He advocated addressing all sources of conflict, including poverty, inequality, and lack of access to resources, as a path forward.

He also stressed the need to educate the public about the impacts of climate change and the importance of environmental stewardship.