The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has advised Nigerians to stop castigating their leaders but to pray for them and the country and leave judgement to God.
The Sultan spoke yesterday in Kaduna at the Regional Conference on Climate Change-Induced Conflicts in Northern Nigeria, hosted by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith in collaboration with International Alert.
Alhaji Abubakar reminded Nigerian leaders that on the Day of Resurrection, the Almighty God will hold leaders accountable for their stewardship, on a day that nobody will defend them in the presence of the Creator.
He cautioned religious leaders against misleading their followers for personal gains, pointing out that 90 per cent of those who listen to religious leaders in mosques and churches believe in them because they view them as saviors.
“Do your best in worshiping Allah (God) and leave the rest to Him, not to anybody. Don’t follow those who will lead you astray. So many things have been happening in this country, and we believe we must return to Allah.
“Intensify prayers for our country in all mosques. I won’t mention churches because the CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) President is here, and I believe he will say the same thing.
“A lot of people say we have never had it so bad, but no matter how difficult it is, ease will come. We believe nothing lasts forever. Nothing bad and nothing good lasts forever. Let us intensify prayers in our congregations and encourage our followers to pray for our leaders.
“Like one of the speakers said, Allah will ask all of us what we did with the leadership He gave us on earth. On that day, you will be on your own; nobody will be there for you. No deputy governor will be there for the governor; no special adviser or SSG (Secretary to the State Government) will be there. You are going to be your own, as I always say. All of us will be on our own.
“Let us fear Allah in whatever we do and pray for our country. We are blessed. Go round to other countries and see. We have challenges; yes, but nothing lasts forever. With hard work and commitment, we can become a better country.
“The North faces many problems and challenges —not only a lack of knowledge about climate change but also poverty, insecurity. The North was known for progress and peace in the past.
“Our coming together is a unifying occasion for us as one family in the North. There are many misunderstandings and misrepresentations by those trying to divide us. They know that the strength of the North is something to reckon with, not only in Nigeria but worldwide.
“If we are united, we can face any challenge. If we are united, we will definitely create a better and more prosperous community. That’s why so many negative comments are made about certain issues that we know are not true but to divide us.”
CAN President, Dr. Daniel C. Okoh, noted that climate change is a reality in the North, calling for solutions to all sources of conflict, including poverty, inequality, and lack of access to resources.
Dr. Okoh joined the Sultan in urging leaders to tell the truth in their communities, affirming that Nigeria, a nation of deep religious conviction, can only succeed by praying and seeking divine assistance.