Ahead of the 2027 general election, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to thoroughly assess the promises made to them by politicians before deciding who to vote for.
The monarch, in turn, told politicians to focus on issues that would promote peace, unity and development instead of politicising insecurity and other national challenges in the course of their campaigns.
The Sultan spoke yesterday when he received the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Campaign Council, led by its Director-General, Senator Abdul-Aziz Yari Abubakar, at his palace in Sokoto.
Yari led a high-powered delegation of party leaders and governors to the Sultanate Council to seek royal blessings and prayers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking, however, the Sultan told voters to listen carefully to the promises of politicians during the electioneering period and make their choices based on what they believed would best serve their interests and those of the country.
He urged political parties and their candidates to conduct peaceful and issue-based campaigns, respect the choices of the electorate and play politics in a manner that would strengthen national unity and development.
He said no government anywhere in the world could completely eradicate insecurity and poverty, but could work towards reducing their effects on the people.
The Sultan wished members of the APC campaign council success and prayed for continued peace, stability and good governance in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Sultan’s Palace, Yari, who represents Zamfara Central in the Senate, said the visit was to formally kick off the council’s engagement and mobilisation activities ahead of the polls.
He said the decision to begin with the Sultanate Council was informed by the traditional institution’s role in promoting peace, unity and national cohesion.
“We consider it important to begin our activities by seeking the royal blessing, prayers and fatherly guidance of His Eminence, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections,” Yari said.
The former Zamfara governor pledged that the campaign would be anchored on peace, issue-based engagement, inclusivity and the collective interest of Nigerians.
He urged APC supporters and stakeholders to remain united and focused, while highlighting what he described as the Tinubu administration’s commitment to development, economic reforms, infrastructure and security.
Yari expressed optimism that the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms would continue to yield positive results and lay a stronger foundation for sustainable development.
Also speaking, Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto commended the Sultan for his fatherly leadership and contributions to peace and national development.
He said the council’s decision to make the Sultanate Council its first point of call was deliberate, given the Sultan’s standing as a respected traditional and spiritual leader whose influence extends beyond Sokoto.
Governors Idris and Lawal also acknowledged the Sultan’s role in fostering unity and stability in the country.
Other members of the delegation included Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris; Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal; Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko; Senator Adamu Aliero; Senator Ali Modu Sheriff; former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari; and former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, among others.
