The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged Nigerians dissatisfied with the performance of their political leaders to use their votes to effect change in the 2027 elections rather than resorting to insults, particularly on social media.
The Sultan said Nigerians have a constitutional right to remove elected leaders through the ballot if they are unhappy with their performance in office.
He spoke in Abuja while receiving the 11-member Council of the Wise of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola.
The monarch, who is also President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, advised citizens to support leaders while they remain in office, pray for them and offer constructive criticism when they believe they are taking the wrong path.
“Insults don’t make things change but go and vote him out because you have that right to vote,” the Sultan said, adding that leaders must listen to the people.
He also warned politicians and their supporters against inflammatory statements, stressing that political disagreements should not be allowed to degenerate into violence.
According to him, war does not benefit anyone, while peace is essential for Nigeria’s development. He urged Nigerians to participate actively in deciding who governs them, noting that political leaders cannot force themselves on the people.
The Sultan further called for responsible political discussions and warned against spreading false or harmful information, particularly on social media. He recalled previously describing social media as a terrorist organisation because of the damage caused by false information, while clarifying that his concern was about people who deliberately create and circulate stories they cannot defend.
Ariwoola said the Council of the Wise, reconstituted by the Savannah Centre in June 2026, was established to contribute to peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.
He said the council had been engaging stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections and appealed to the Sultan to support efforts to encourage political parties and candidates to avoid hate speech, inflammatory statements, rancour and violence.
Ariwoola also urged political parties to follow their constitutions and codes of conduct, while calling on candidates and supporters to comply with electoral laws and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said presidential candidates should focus their campaigns on issues affecting Nigerians and present practical solutions to the country’s challenges, adding that the council would continue engaging stakeholders across the country ahead of the elections.
