The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged President Bola Tinubu, the 36 state governors, and other political leaders to listen to the concerns of Nigerians with compassion rather than repression.
He made the appeal in Abuja on Wednesday, August 13, at the launch of the NASFAT History Book to mark the organisation’s 30th anniversary, the Sultan said Nigerians facing hardship deserve empathy and reassurance.
“I call on our leaders to look at all of us with that sympathy of father and child. Whatever problems you are having, whatever cries you are hearing, don’t carry koboko and wipe people. Carry some soft hands and touch somebody and say look, things will be okay,” he said.
He stressed that Nigeria cannot survive without justice. “Justice is the foundation of any society. As Sheikh Abdulrauf said, a nation can endure with unbelief, but it cannot endure with injustice.
“So let’s face justice in whatever we do. Our leaders, our followers, all need to be just in whatever we do.
“And I believe, conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it. Conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it,” he added.
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The Sultan also urged Nigerians to pray for their leaders instead of cursing them.
“From Mr. President, to all the governors, to all the local men chairman, to all our leaders at all levels. We need to pray for our leaders to do right, to do just.
“If you pray for your leader, he does good things, you enjoy. If you are lying to his whims and caprices, he does bad things, you will suffer,” he said.
He acknowledged that times are tough due to economic challenges but urged resilience.
“People say yes, times are tough, yes. But when times are tough, tough people overcome such tough times.
“Let’s believe whatever almighty Allah bless on us is his own will, his own wish, and we will overcome this. And I believe 100% almighty Allah will bring ease to all of us in this great country and beyond. Let’s go back to him and him alone. Only him can give. Only him takes.”