Sultan to politicians: Don’t make 2023 elections do-or-die affair

THE Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, has warned that as the 2023 general election draws near, politicians should not see winning positions as a do-or-die affair just as he reminded them that it is only God that gives power, just as he admonished traders and business owners against increasing prices of foodstuffs ahead of the Ramadan fasting. 

The Sultan was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2022 National Qur’anic Recitation Competition hosted by Bauchi State government in collaboration with Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto. Speaking further on the 2023 election, the Sultan said that “By 2023, the politicians will be up in their normal game, please, play politics with the fear of the Almighty Allah, knowing that He is the only one who gives power to whom he wants, at the time he wants and he would take it away from you when he wants.” 

He added that “So, do not make it a do-or-die affair because Allah already knows who is going to be a leader come 2023 whether at state or federal level but we don’t know because we are mere mortals. Let’s play the game by the rules. We must be fearful of that day that we will meet our creator.” 

The Sultan also warned that as Muslims in Nigeria join their counterparts across the world to observe the mandatory 30 days Ramadan fasting, traders, business owners and other people who render social services should be fearful of the day of judgement when they will give account of every deed and not increase prices of foodstuff and other commodities and services during the Holy month. 

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Sultan Abubakar III also called on the governments at all levels in the country to devise a deliberate way of reducing the prices of foodstuff and other commodities in order to cushion the effects of hardship being faced by Nigerians. 

While declaring the 2022 competition closed, Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir lamented that” the world today is faced with numerous challenges ranging from corruption, intellectual bankruptcy, insecurity and other social maladies pointing out that this state of affairs is threatening the socioeconomic and the very existence of the world as a planet that is worth living in”. 

The governor called on well-meaning and God-fearing Muslims especially the Ulamas to intensify prayers at all times and places, especially at gatherings such as these for God to have mercy on the country and save it. 

According to him, “To also remind ourselves so that we can change our ways. As Muslims, we have been challenged. The banditry, the insecurity is happening within our midsts, we need to ask ourselves ‘why?’ Can we change it? Have we offended Allah?” 

He added that “If so, we should have some introspection so that we will be able to go for the expiation of our sins and for Allah to forgive us, so that, at least, we will not be in this kind of mess that we have found ourselves in.”