Sultan of Sokoto Dismisses Islamisation Claims, Calls for Unity in Nigeria

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has dismissed repeated claims of a supposed plan to Islamise Nigeria, describing such narratives as false, divisive, and impossible within the country’s constitutional and religious structure.

Speaking on Wednesday at the First Triennial Meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja, the Sultan stressed that Muslims and Christians are destined to coexist in Nigeria and that no religious group has an agenda to dominate or eliminate the other. He said claims of Islamisation of Nigeria are often used to create unnecessary tension and weaken national unity.

The Sultan, who serves as Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), reaffirmed that the platform remains one of the most important tools for peacebuilding in the country, stressing that continuous dialogue is essential to resolving religious and social misunderstandings.

He noted that his long-standing participation in the council reflects his personal commitment to peace and stability, stating that he has not missed a single meeting in over two decades of engagement. According to him, sustained conversation between religious leaders is critical to preventing conflict and strengthening national cohesion in a multi-faith society like Nigeria.

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The Sultan also raised concerns about the rise of self-styled religious leaders who lack proper theological training but continue to influence large followings. He warned that religious ignorance and misinformation contribute to the misuse of faith for political or personal gain, urging clerics across all religions to deepen their knowledge and promote responsible preaching.

He explained that academic or linguistic familiarity alone is not sufficient to qualify anyone as a religious authority, stressing the importance of sound doctrinal understanding in guiding followers correctly.

Addressing insecurity in the country, the Sultan strongly condemned the practice of linking criminal acts to religion, particularly the tendency to describe bandits or terrorists as representatives of any faith. He insisted that criminals should be identified strictly by their actions, not their religion, warning that such profiling fuels division and undermines national unity.

The Sultan further reiterated Islamic teachings that condemn the killing of innocent people, noting that in Islam, the unjust taking of a single life is regarded as the destruction of humanity.

He urged Nigerians to resist divisive narratives and focus on shared national identity, especially at a time when the country continues to face security and economic challenges. He emphasised that peace, tolerance, and mutual respect remain the foundation for national progress, calling on religious leaders to lead by example in promoting harmony.

Observers say the Sultan’s remarks reinforce ongoing efforts by interfaith leaders to reduce religious tension and strengthen cooperation between Nigeria’s major faith communities.

Sultan of Sokoto Dismisses Islamisation Claims, Calls for Unity in Nigeria

Wike Rejects Emotional Appeal, Defends Jabi Lake Redevelopment Plan

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday insisted he would not allow emotions to influence official decisions, as he firmly rejected an appeal by Sarah Omakwu over the planned redevelopment of Jabi Lake Recreation Area.

Wike made the remarks during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, responding directly to a viral video in which the senior pastor of Family Worship Centre, Abuja, knelt on the pulpit and pleaded with authorities not to allocate the lakeside facility for private development.

“I cannot fight the minister of the FCT. I cannot. But I go on my knees as a mother in this land that Jabi Lake Recreation Centre should not be given to anybody,” Omakwu said in the video, which sparked widespread reactions across social media and among Abuja residents.

Responding, Wike maintained that governance must be guided by law and policy rather than sentiment.

“I’m human in this government and you don’t expect everybody to be happy. If the majority are happy, then I’m happy. Some people don’t understand what’s going on; you should ask questions,” he said.

Dismissing the emotional tone of the appeal, the minister added, “You talk about the woman kneeling down and begging, I’m not carried away by such emotions. Begging to do what? Who owns Jabi Lake? How does it become your own?”

The minister clarified that the Jabi Lake development project did not originate under his administration, explaining that the land had previously been allocated to a private firm to develop an entertainment and tourism facility. However, he said the original vision had been abandoned, with the area deteriorating into makeshift structures.

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“When I came on board, that place was given to a company that said they wanted to turn it into an entertainment place, but they have turned it into shanties,” Wike said.

He added that his administration intervened after discovering the poor state of the environment, raising concerns about security and the image of the area, particularly due to its proximity to hospitality facilities.

“One of these days I went there and said this can’t be. There is a hotel, and who would come to stay in that hotel when there are shanties all over? You don’t even know if there are criminals there,” he stated.

Wike emphasised that the FCT urban renewal drive is focused on restoring order, improving infrastructure, and ensuring that all allocated lands are developed according to approved plans. He reiterated that illegal structures and non-compliant developments would not be tolerated under his leadership.

Beyond Jabi Lake, the minister noted that his administration has intensified enforcement actions across Abuja, including demolition of illegal buildings, recovery of encroached lands, and revocation of dormant allocations—measures he said are necessary to sanitise the capital city and attract investment.

The controversy surrounding Jabi Lake Abuja has triggered mixed reactions. While some residents and stakeholders support the clean-up and redevelopment as a step toward economic growth and improved security, others—including environmental advocates—have raised concerns about possible over-commercialisation, ecological impact, and reduced public access to one of Abuja’s most popular recreational spaces.

Urban planning experts have also called for greater transparency and stakeholder engagement, urging the FCT Administration to balance development objectives with environmental sustainability and community interests.

Despite the backlash, Wike signalled that the project would proceed, stressing that decisions taken by the administration are in the broader interest of the city and its residents.

Wike Rejects Emotional Appeal, Defends Jabi Lake Redevelopment Plan

Enugu Islamic Centre Crisis: Muslim Leaders Clear Air on Ani Arrest

Muslim leaders in Enugu have strongly denied allegations linking them to the arrest of Alhaji Musa Ani, insisting that the claims circulating on social media are false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary tension within the community.

The clarification follows reports suggesting that Muslim leaders orchestrated Ani’s arrest. However, community leaders maintained that the arrest was carried out by security agencies after formal petitions were submitted over alleged mismanagement of the Enugu Islamic Centre.

Speaking to journalists, the Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah in Enugu State, Hon. Alhaji Ibrahim Ezeani, explained that Ani’s arrest was the outcome of lawful investigations triggered by complaints from members of the Muslim community.

He said Ani was invited by relevant authorities and later arrested after failing to provide satisfactory explanations regarding his long-term stewardship of the Islamic Centre, which he said has lasted for more than 30 years.

Ezeani added that the Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier intervened in the dispute and established terms of reference, including a full audit of the centre’s financial records and governance structure.

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The leaders also addressed the long-standing dispute over the Enugu Islamic Centre, noting that it was established in 1958 to serve all Muslims in the former Eastern Region and was never intended for any single ethnic or sectional group.

Ezeani lamented that the facility, which once served as a hub for education and worship, has deteriorated over the years. He said it is now largely occupied by commercial activities and artisans, with concerns raised about the proper accounting of revenues generated from the centre.

Other Muslim leaders in the state echoed similar concerns, stressing that the Islamic Centre belongs to all Muslims regardless of ethnic background and calling for urgent reforms to restore its original purpose.

President of the Yoruba Muslim Community in Enugu, Alfa Abdul Adeyemi, said the centre was established through collective contributions to promote both Islamic and Western education, and urged transparency in its management.

A leader of the Arewa Muslim community, Alhaji Muhammad Bello, also dismissed claims of exclusive ownership, attributing the centre’s decline to years of poor administration and lack of accountability.

Chairman of the steering committee set up following DSS intervention, Alhaji Kassim Ofordile Idoko, said a new management structure has been introduced with the mandate to restore order and revive the institution.

Chief Imam of Nsukka Central Mosque, Yakubu Abdullahi Omeh, called for government intervention to maintain peace within the Muslim community, warning that unresolved disputes could deepen divisions.

He traced the ownership disagreement back to 1993 and referenced a government white paper affirming that the land belongs to the entire Muslim community in Enugu State, not any particular group.

The leaders collectively urged all stakeholders to respect existing rulings and work together to reposition the Islamic Centre for religious, educational, and community development purposes.

Enugu Islamic Centre Crisis: Muslim Leaders Clear Air on Ani Arrest