The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has firmly denied reports alleging that he endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office, declaring that he has no preferred candidate in the 2027 presidential election and will not be drawn into partisan politics.
The revered monarch’s clarification follows the circulation of social media reports claiming he had urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid, a development the Sultan described as false, misleading and a deliberate attempt to drag the traditional institution into political controversy.
In a statement issued by his Media Team and signed by his aide, Prince Bashir Adefaka, the Sultan dismissed the reports in their entirety, stressing that his position as the spiritual leader of millions of Nigerian Muslims and a father figure to all Nigerians forbids him from endorsing any political aspirant.
“The attention of the Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has been drawn to a report circulating on some social media platforms, creating the impression that the Sultan has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
“Our simple response to the report is that it is not possible for the Sultan, as the father of all, to make such a statement, either publicly or in any other forum,” the statement read.
The Sultan maintained that he has neither publicly nor privately declared support for any individual interested in the presidency and insisted that he has no intention of doing so ahead of the 2027 general election.
He explained that the responsibilities attached to his office require absolute neutrality, fairness and equal treatment of all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation, religious belief or ethnic background.
According to the statement, the Sultan’s Palace remains open to all Nigerians, including elected officials, political leaders and public office holders, warning that routine meetings with political figures should never be misconstrued as endorsements or political alliances.
“The Sultan’s doors cannot be shut against anyone who comes to him, regardless of political affiliation or persuasion. His Eminence has consistently demonstrated that he is the father of all and will continue to relate with all Nigerians without discrimination,” the statement added.
The Palace further described the reports linking the monarch to President Tinubu’s re-election campaign as malicious and the handiwork of individuals pursuing selfish political interests.
It stressed that such claims are inconsistent with the Sultan’s long-standing commitment to justice, fairness, national unity and peaceful coexistence.
The clarification comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election continue to gather momentum, with influential traditional rulers and religious leaders increasingly becoming targets of false endorsement claims and political propaganda.
By distancing himself from the reports, the Sultan reaffirmed his commitment to remaining above partisan politics while continuing to serve as a unifying national figure dedicated to peace, dialogue and the collective interests of all Nigerians.