I Did not Endorse Tinubu: Sultan Breaks Silence on 2027: Media Team Denies Tinubu Endorsement, Reaffirms Neutrality
The media team of the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has dismissed reports claiming he endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting the revered traditional ruler has no preferred presidential candidate.
The clarification comes after reports circulated on social media alleging that the Sultan had urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu for a second term.
The claims quickly generated political reactions across the country, prompting the Sultan’s media office to issue a formal response.
In a statement signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka, the media team described the reports as false, misleading and a deliberate attempt to drag the Sultan into partisan politics.
“Our simple response to the report is that it is not possible for the Sultan, as the father of all, to make such a statement, either publicly or in any other forum,” the statement said.
The statement stressed that the Sultan occupies a unique constitutional and moral position in Nigeria as the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the spiritual leader of millions of Muslims across the country.
As the 21st Sultan of Sokoto, he is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential traditional and religious leaders, making any perceived political endorsement capable of carrying significant national implications.
According to the media team, the Sultan’s role requires him to remain impartial, offering guidance, prayers and fatherly counsel to leaders and politicians from all political parties without endorsing any candidate.
“The Sultan’s doors cannot be shut against anyone who comes to him, regardless of political affiliation or persuasion.
His Eminence has consistently demonstrated that he is the father of all and will continue to relate with all Nigerians without discrimination,” the statement added.
The media office urged Nigerians to disregard attempts to portray the Sultan as backing the political ambition of any individual ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that such misinformation could undermine the neutrality of traditional and religious institutions.
It also appealed to journalists, bloggers and social media users to verify sensitive political information before publication, especially stories capable of inflaming political or religious tensions.
The clarification is significant because the Sultan’s voice carries considerable influence across Nigeria, particularly in the North.
By publicly distancing himself from reports of endorsing President Tinubu, the Sultanate has reaffirmed its commitment to political neutrality and its role as a unifying institution rather than a partisan actor.
This version is suitable for publication and avoids overstating what the media team’s statement actually says.
