The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar, has urged Nigerian youths to reject political violence and banditry ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against being used for political or economic gains.
The Sultan gave the warning on Sunday at the centenary celebration of Az-Zumratul Adabbiyatul Kamaliyyah School of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Ilorin, Kwara State.
“I challenge our youths not to allow themselves to be used as thugs or as bandits in whatever way, either for political or economic gains,” he said.
He also urged Nigerians to promote religious tolerance, show kindness to their neighbours and pray for leaders at all levels of government.
“All of us should be better Muslims by being good to our neighbours regardless of their faith. We should also pray for our leaders always so that they can do good things for all of us,” the Sultan said.
He stressed that differences in religious beliefs should not prevent peaceful coexistence, adding that leaders needed to do more to address the country’s challenges.
“We are Muslims and we love everybody. We have not come here to say that we are better than anyone. Our leaders should do more. We know our problems, but Allah has solutions to our problems,” he said.
The Sultan also praised the late founder of the Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Adabiy, for establishing the institution a century ago, and pledged continued support for its development.
The event was attended by prominent figures, including the former Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero; Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by AbdulRazaq Jiddah; and former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Also present were former House of Representatives member Mashood Mustapha and the immediate past Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Ishaq Oloyede.
At the event, AbdulRazaq announced a donation of N180m on behalf of his family and the Kwara State Government to support the institution.
The governor also praised the late Sheikh Kamalud-deen for his contributions to Islamic scholarship and called on Muslims to uphold his legacy of peace, learning and religious harmony.
Saraki, in his remarks, said the late cleric’s contributions to Islamic propagation and co-education had earned recognition beyond Nigeria.
“Wherever you go today, Ilorin is synonymous with Islam and Islam is synonymous with Ilorin,” he said, attributing the association to the work of scholars such as Sheikh Kamalud-deen.
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