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

Desperate Politicians Behind Plateau Killings — Mutfwang

Governor Caleb Mutfwang has alleged that the recurring wave of Plateau killings and insecurity in the state is being orchestrated by “desperate politicians” seeking to destabilise the region, particularly around election cycles.

The governor made the claim on Tuesday while addressing journalists during a courtesy visit at the Government House in Jos, stating that emerging intelligence and patterns of violence point strongly to political sponsorship rather than purely communal or religious causes.

“I make bold to say that the insecurity situation in Plateau State is being sponsored by desperate politicians who are out to destabilize the state,” Mutfwang said.

He noted that violent attacks in the state often intensify during election periods, describing the trend as a clear signal of political interference.

“If you notice, these attacks always peak during election cycles. What does that tell us? It is a clear indication that it is political; in fact, they are more political than terrorism,” he added.

Mutfwang cited historical and recent incidents to support his claim, including the deadly Dogo Nahawa massacre of March 7, 2010, where over 1,000 people were reportedly killed, and the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, which claimed more than 30 lives.

He also referenced fresh attacks in Kanam, Wase, and Quan Pan Local Government Areas—communities largely populated by Muslims—arguing that such incidents undermine narratives that the violence is purely religiously driven.

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“If this were about religion, why would people attack others who share the same faith?” the governor queried, suggesting instead that the violence is being manipulated for political ends.

According to him, preliminary investigations by security agencies and the state government indicate that certain actors are deliberately sponsoring unrest to create instability and influence political outcomes.

Beyond identifying political motives, Mutfwang acknowledged that insecurity in Plateau State is multifaceted, involving longstanding issues such as land disputes, farmer-herder conflicts, ethnic tensions, and weak enforcement of law and order.

He said his administration is working closely with security agencies to dismantle criminal networks, improve intelligence gathering, and strengthen community-based peacebuilding initiatives.

The governor also revealed that efforts are ongoing to enhance surveillance in rural communities, deploy more security personnel to flashpoints, and ensure swift response to emerging threats.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities by providing timely and credible information, stressing that public support is crucial to ending the cycle of violence.

“We have discovered that these attacks are being sponsored by desperate politicians who are bent on destroying Plateau. But we will not allow that to happen,” he declared.

The remarks come amid renewed national concern over Nigeria insecurity, particularly in the North-Central region, where Plateau State has long experienced cycles of violence with devastating humanitarian consequences.

Security analysts say while political sponsorship may play a role, addressing the crisis will require a comprehensive strategy that tackles both immediate threats and underlying structural causes.

As investigations continue, attention is now focused on whether security agencies will identify and prosecute individuals allegedly behind the sponsorship of violence, a move many believe is critical to restoring lasting peace in Plateau State.

Desperate Politicians Behind Plateau Killings — Mutfwang

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