2027: Sultan denies endorsing Tinubu for second term

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has distanced himself from reports claiming that he endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his media aide, Bashir Adefaka, the Sultan described the reports as false and misleading, insisting that he has no preferred candidate in the 2027 presidential race.

Mr Adefaka said the Sultan could not take sides in partisan politics because of his position as a traditional and religious leader and father to all Nigerians.

According to the statement, the monarch has no favourite among those who may contest the election and would neither publicly nor privately endorse any 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 said.

The Sultan said his role requires him to remain impartial and accessible to all Nigerians, irrespective of their political affiliations or leanings.

He noted that the office he occupies demands neutrality, making it inappropriate for him to endorse one political candidate over another ahead of a national election.

The statement described reports linking the Sultan to Mr Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign as malicious and an attempt by individuals pursuing selfish interests to drag the traditional ruler into partisan politics.

It added that the claims did not reflect the Sultan’s long-standing commitment to fairness, inclusiveness and national unity.

The monarch also reiterated that he would continue to receive and interact with all Nigerians, including political leaders and public office holders, without such engagements being interpreted as political endorsements.

“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.