Islam seeks good governance, not political power – Sultan of Sokoto

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has rejected claims that Islam seeks to dominate political power in Nigeria, stressing that the faith is rooted in the pursuit of good governance and societal harmony.

He made the remarks in Abuja during the public presentation of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a memoir authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor.

Responding to comments made at the event, the Sultan cautioned against misrepresenting Islam or associating it with political ambition.
“Islam is not about seizing power. It is about ensuring justice and good governance,” he said. “During President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure, we gave him full support. Nobody opposed him on religious grounds, and he can attest to that.”

Recounting his earlier interventions, the Sultan explained that his 2011 comments on Islam and leadership were misinterpreted as criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari’s second-term bid. He noted that his remarks were simply a reminder of the qualities expected of leaders in line with Islamic teachings.

Highlighting Islam’s guiding principles, he said Muslims are bound by the Qur’an, the Hadith, and the consensus of scholars, which collectively reject extremism.
“Extremism is alien to Islam. You cannot be an extremist and claim to be a good Muslim,” he emphasized.

The monarch, who also chairs the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, also dismissed misconceptions about Jihad. He explained that Jihad does not translate to violence against non-Muslims but rather to striving for excellence in all aspects of life, whether in faith, profession, or personal conduct.

“Jihad means to strive. It could be striving to be a good Muslim, a good Christian, a good farmer, or even a good engineer. It is not about killing non-Muslims, as some wrongly believe,” he clarified.

Commending General Irabor for documenting his experiences in service, the Sultan praised his contributions to Nigeria’s security efforts and emphasised the importance of truth and unity in addressing insecurity.

He urged Nigerians from all backgrounds to work together for peace and progress, warning that careless statements about religion and insecurity could deepen divisions.
“As a people, we must stand together as one family, regardless of our differences, to build a better country,” he added.