The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has appealed to Nigerians to refrain from criticising their leaders and to allow God to address their shortcomings as He sees fit. He underscored that all things, good or bad, are temporary and encouraged the nation to pray for their leaders and the country.
The Sultan reminded those in leadership positions that they would be held accountable for their actions on the Day of Judgment, and no one would be available to advocate for them before their Creator.
He warned religious leaders against misleading their followers for personal gain, noting that most trust spiritual leaders in mosques and churches and view them as saviours. He emphasised that true salvation comes solely from God.
The Sultan shared these thoughts during the Regional Conference on Climate Change-Induced Conflicts in Northern Nigeria, organised by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith in partnership with International Alert.
“Focus on worshipping Allah and leave the rest to Him. Avoid those who might lead you astray. Our nation has faced numerous challenges, and we must return to Allah. We must increase our prayers for our country in all places of worship. I mention mosques specifically, but I trust the CAN President, present here, will echo the same sentiment for churches,” he stated.
He acknowledged the hardships people are experiencing, asserting that relief will eventually come. “No situation, good or bad, is permanent. Let us enhance our prayers in our communities and encourage our followers to support our leaders through prayer. Rather than criticise, we should allow Allah to manage their fates,” he continued.
As one speaker pointed out, Allah will question how we handled the leadership entrusted to us on Earth. On that day, we will stand alone, without the support of aides or advisors.
“We must all be accountable for our actions. Let us revere Allah in all that we do and pray for our country. We are fortunate—when we look at other nations, we see our blessings. While we face challenges, nothing remains unchanged. Through diligence and dedication, we can improve our nation,” he asserted.
The Sultan acknowledged the various issues plaguing the North, including a lack of awareness regarding climate change, poverty, and insecurity, which have historically contradicted the region’s legacy of peace and progress.
“This gathering symbolises our unity as one family in the North. There are many misconceptions propagated by those seeking to divide us, fully aware of the North’s strength, which is recognised not only in Nigeria but also internationally. If we stand together, we can overcome adversity and foster a more prosperous community,” he added.
The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Reverend Dr D.C. Okoh, addressed the reality of climate change in the North, labelling it a humanitarian crisis that demands immediate action. He called for tackling various conflict sources, including poverty and inequality, and stressed the importance of public education on climate change and environmental responsibility. He joined the Sultan in urging leaders to uphold truthfulness in their communities, asserting that Nigeria can only flourish through prayer and divine guidance.
Governor Uba Sani highlighted the Kaduna State Government’s proactive measures to address climate change and its consequences.
“We have established a Climate Change Policy to safeguard our environment and community’s future. This policy outlines our vision for a climate-resilient Kaduna State, setting forth objectives and strategies across crucial sectors such as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, water resource management, and biodiversity preservation,” he explained.
He also praised the Bureau for organising the climate change conference.
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