The Council for Northern Muslim Youth Preachers has urged Nigerians to show greater commitment to preserve the legacies of the Sokoto Sultanate.

The council’s Chairman, Musa Yusuf, said this on Wednesday in Kaduna at a two-day symposium on the position of northern Ulamas to safeguard the image of the Sultan, Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the sanctity of the caliphate.

Islamic clerics from the 19 northern states attended the workshop.

Mr Yusuf said the image of the Sultan as the revered steward of the caliphate must be respected and preserved.

He said the Sultan was representing the Muslims community in Nigeria, cautioning that any attempt to derogate his position would be considered as an attack on the Muslims.

The chairman urged the Sokoto State government to focus on challenges bedevilling the state to improve education, health and the economy of the state.

He stated, “We call on the government to join hands with traditional and religious leaders to ensure peace and unity in Nigeria. We urge the Muslim youths to disseminate this information to all and sundry that the Muslim youths do not agree with any attempt to derogate the powers of the Sultan of Sokoto. We commend the Federal Government for its initiative to provide a constitutional role for our traditional leaders.’’

Also speaking, a Kano State-based cleric, Abdulmutallib Ahmad, advised traditional rulers not to allow themselves to be hoodwinked by politicians, rather they should prioritise the welfare of their people.

He admonished political leaders to fear God, respect the traditions and religion.

On his part, a preacher in Gusau, Zamfara State, Aminu Aliyu, described the seat of the sultanate as historic that symbolises the legacy of Usmanu Danfodiyo, the founder of the caliphate.

He said the position of the Sultan or the “Sarkin Muslimi” meaning the ‘leader of the Muslims’ was not only restricted to Sokoto, rather transcends to all parts of Nigeria.

(NAN)