The Real Power of the Sultan
Most outsiders don’t understand what the Sultan of Sokoto actually holds.
He is the Sarkin Musulmi — Commander of the Faithful. The 20th-generation heir to dan Fodio’s throne, unbroken for 222 years. Spiritual leader of more than 100 million Sunni Muslims — half of Nigeria.
In pure numbers, that puts him among the highest-ranking Sunni authorities on earth.
Islam means submission. When the Sarkin Musulmi rules on a matter of religion, every Muslim under his authority is obligated to obey. Not invited. Obligated.
He chairs Jama’atu Nasril Islam — the umbrella body of Nigerian Sunni Islam.
He chairs the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
He is grand patron of Miyetti Allah — the Fulani pastoralist body whose factions are credibly accused of running the militia killings across the Middle Belt.
Every Northern emir — Kano, Zaria, Adamawa, Borno, dozens more — sits below his throne. Every Sharia court in twelve Northern states operates inside his doctrinal framework. Every Friday sermon in tens of thousands of Northern mosques follows his lead.
Every Northern governor, every Northern senator, every Northern president has paid him homage. None has publicly opposed him on a matter of substance. Ever.
He could end the killing in 90 days.
A binding fatwa from his office naming Boko Haram, ISWAP, and the Fulani militias as khawarij — rebels outside Islam — would split them from their kinship cover overnight. Every imam in Northern Nigeria would have to choose between obeying the throne or siding with men the throne has declared apostate.
He could publicly call out the nine billion dollars a year being looted from his own lands. He could withdraw his blessing from the political class running the cover-up. He could order cooperation with Nigerian security forces on every kidnapping ring operating in his domain.
He has every tool. He has every platform. He has every authority.
He has used none of it to end the terror or vast mineral looting in his lands.
That is not a man without power.
That is a man without desire.
EarthShaker
Dear Readers, Good and credible news reportage is tedious task and requires huge finances.
We are soliciting your Noble support for as low as N1,000 your support would go a long way in assisting us to continue to guarantee our readers quality news.
Bank transfers can be made to:
Account Name: Harvest and Commercial
Bank: Sterling Bank
Account Number: 0078627735