As the 20th Sultan of Sokoto clocks 20

Exactly 20 years ago, the 20th Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, ascended the throne. The anniversary was appropriately marked by the Sultanate Council of Sokoto in collaboration with other Islamic organizations. It was part of the 13th Shaikh Usmanu Bin Fodiyo Week. Speakers at the event eulogised the qualities of Sultan Sa’ad and they had their different perspectives. For me, how the Sultan’s actions and utterances have come across over the past 20 years in our national space was what came to mind.  Sultan Sa’ad has been exactly what I expect a leader to be, how I expect a leader to come across. Now, whoever has an appreciation of the task of nation-building would understand how central relevant institutions are to it. Relevant institutions are rallying points. Sometimes they lead the nation-building effort, and they’re major contributors to the process. In Nigeria, traditional institutions belong here. The throne in Sokoto is one of them, and I seize this occasion to recognize Sultan Sa’ad’s contributions.

It needs to be stated that the task of nation-building is never opaque; when it’s going on, we see it. When it doesn’t, well-meaning citizens worry, and I’ve listened as some of them from different parts of the nation express their worries to me in private conversations. They’re very passionate about our nation, a phenomenon that makes me wonder when some present themselves as though they’re the only ones concerned about the well-being of Nigeria. I can cite many examples. But at least we’ve all witnessed at different times how high-profile people across the nation rallied together to stabilise the polity in troubled times, including 1998 when the presidency was conciously zoned to the south-west. Now, well-meaning citizens know that strong nations don’t just emerge; they’re worked at. Is Nigeria more complex than the United States of America, with the latter’s different races and ethnicities? Yet that country projects strength to the world. It’s internal strength that shows forth as external strength, and it’s been a journey of over 200 years gathering internal strength for the US.

Nation-building is rooted in identifiable, tangible centres. It has pillars in identifiable, tangible centres. Even the intangible aspects of the process are rooted somewhere, and we’ll know them if we look closely. It helps when relevant tangible centres for nation building are spread across a nation. Traditional institutions are spread across Nigeria, and this is important. For instance, there’s this image traditional institutions present such that when people look in specific directions, they are the centres they see first. This gives the confidence that the nation has those to look up to, institutions that can be rallied for the national cause. In addition, traditional institutions personify a people in each section of the nation. Where they exist, there is this sense on the part of outsiders that those we call to the table have the ears of the people. Traditional institutions in every part of Nigeria played significant roles in the past, a phenomenon I studied extensively in political science class, and they still do today.

Specifically, in the North-West of Nigeria, the sultanate looms large, and it is important to note also that this traditional institution transcends the North-West. For obvious reasons and historical antecedents, the sultanate straddles the North, and it enjoys goodwill in other sections of the country as well. In my estimation, such reach that this traditional institution has is beneficial in the task of nation-building. I shall explain. We stress the idea that traditional institutions don’t get involved in politics; yet close observation shows they’re linked to politics or at least governance. One reason is that political office holders play a role in how occupants ascend the throne. Office holders consult traditional institutions for advice on cultural, religious, and sometimes policy issues. They, in turn, quietly speak the people’s concerns to political office holders. Policies that might anger people such that they engage in violent protests are snuffed out right at that level.

When information needs to really reach locals and local communities both near and in remote areas, governments reach out to traditional institutions. When matters become knotty, as they must be in conflict situations that are part of the dynamics in human relationships everywhere, governments capitalise on the wider acceptance that traditional institutions have among the people. I’ve also seen in the north where traditional institutions on their own regulate localities such that orderliness and peace are maintained. In most parts, traditional institutions remain the first port of call for the vulnerable and helpless. The extent to which traditional institutions play a role, as well as the influence they have with the people, can sometimes depend on the occupant of a throne. Some are highly influential, enjoy mass loyalty, and are highly respected.

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Such loyalty to a traditional institution doesn’t emerge overnight; it’s built on years of a traditional ruler’s dedication to serving the people. People would always reciprocate when they know a traditional institution has their back. Of course, the first task a leader has is the people. I observe that since Sultan Sa’ad ascended the throne, he’s always at the forefront regarding what concerns his people, and it doesn’t matter which part of the country. In living memory, and I made this point in my past interventions, Sultan Sa’ad remains the most widely travelled sultan in search of peaceful coexistence across Nigeria. He has remained one traditional ruler who doesn’t just stay in his palace when there’re issues to be attended to in any part of our nation. He can stay away if he wishes to. But he doesn’t; rather, he gives his all.

I’ve observed his comments at events – interfaith and those that concern state affairs. I must have written more than fifteen pieces on what I notice of Sultan Sa’ad’s comments and actions over the past twenty years. A person may choose not to like this traditional ruler, but Sultan Sa’ad’s sincerity and commitment to fostering  peaceful coexistence as part of nation-building cannot be denied.

He says it as any leader who wants people to live together in peace says it. Of importance here is how he doesn’t deflect whatever needs to be confronted, even among people of his own ethnic origin.   Not once, not twice, has he publicly expressed his view about the image members of his ethnic nationality are sometimes given in the context of insecurity in Nigeria. He says there’s a need to stop any actions that encourage accusations, and thereby redeem the image of his ethnic nationality.

He’s been at several meetings meant to find peace in troubled communities across the north. He’s said any members of his ethnic nationality found guilty of breaching the peace should be held accountable and prosecuted, rather than have an entire ethnic nationality demonized for the actions of a few. Any leader would say this too if their people were being stereotyped. In any case, such stereotypes can only breed anger and hate against any ethnic nationality, and it doesn’t help nation-building. Sultan Sa’ad has never been for only the people in his domain. Since he ascended the throne 20 years ago, he has remained a national figure, and an international figure too, considering his official diplomatic engagements across our borders in the service of our nation. He has been a factor in different segments across the nation, including religious and cultural matters, and his disposition to build bridges across known divides is one reason. I think this is a plus in a nation where Sultan Sa’ad’s kind of reach is not common. It’s a plus in the task of nation-building.

Then there’s that aspect of his activity that I’ve applauded since the time it started. Sultan Sa’ad and Bishop Mathew Kukah of the Catholic Church collaborate to get politicians to pursue peace before, during, and after elections. It’s their own contribution to our nation, and I pay close attention to any Nigerian who makes their own contribution in any field whatsoever. We need such people at a time when there are so many pessimists about the fate of our nation. It’s people who remain optimistic in the face of the odds who help build nations. Sultan Sa’ad is making his own contribution in the way he can. I notice and appreciate him for it because on this page, I’ve always asked anyone with any clout whatsoever to deploy it to improve the areas they personally find concerning. We can’t complain while we do nothing in our own corner. After all, it’s the aggregation of everyone’s contribution in their corner that makes a nation great. My best wishes to His Eminence, Sultan Sa’ad. I wish him many more fruitful years serving our nation. Allah ya ja zamanin sarki.