The Sultan of Sokoto and President–General, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria (SCIAN), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has voiced concern about the degree of hardship, insecurity, and poverty that Nigerians are facing.
He said that, as a result of the situation, it would be hard to stop the masses from protesting.
Addressing the 6th executive Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council meeting held at the Arewa House in Kaduna on Wednesday, the monarch said in order to prevent any kind of rebellion against the current political leaders, traditional rulers and religious leaders have been calming the populace, particularly the youth without jobs.
“It is getting to a level that traditional leaders can no longer pacify the people from revolting against government and political leaders that are supposed to find solutions to their lingering socio-economic plight.
“ Let’s not take it for granted. People are quiet; they are quiet for a reason, because people have been talking to them. We have been talking to them; we have been trying to tell them that things will be okay, and they keep on believing.
“ I pray to Almighty Allah that they will not one day wake up and say we no longer believe in you; that would be the biggest problem. We can’t continue to keep these people quiet as traditional, spiritual leaders and diplomats forever.
“ We have reached that level, people are very agitated, people are hungry, they are angry, but they still believe there are people who can talk to them.
” They believe in some of their governors, some other traditional rulers, and some of their religious leaders, fortunately, some of us double as traditional and religious leaders.
“ So, we have this onerous task of reaching out to everybody, calming them down, and assuring them that things will be okay. And that they should continue to pray and still do something good because prayer without work will not bring anything good.
“To make matters worse, we are faced with the rising level of poverty among most of our people. They lack normal sources of livelihood for the common man to have even a good meal a day,” the sultan said.
The head of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria (SCIAN) said all is not well with the country particularly on mass poverty and insecurity
Abubakar also said: “But I believe talking about insecurity and the rising level of poverty are two issues that we cannot fold our arms around and think everything is fine.
” I have said it so many times and at so many fora that things are not alright in Nigeria. Of course, things are not okay in the North.
“What are the real issues bringing about poverty and rising cases of insecurity? I don’t think it is the issue of the new government.
“To me, this government is a continuation of the former government. It is the same party. So, what really is the problem? I think that is one of the reasons we are here to talk to ourselves.”
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