STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Sokoto state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, plans deposing Sultan of Sokoto
* Akpodoro, a former militant leader in the Niger Delta rejects such move by the governor
* Akpodoro says such action is an affront on the traditional institution in Nigeria
* The former militant leader says such action would lead to anarchy in Sokoto state and Nigeria
* He called on the governor to apologize to the Sultan of Sokoto and perish the thought
THE DETAILS
The Mayor of Urhoboland and prominent ex-militant leader in the Niger Delta region, Eshanakpe Israel a.k.a Akpodoro, has called on the governor of Sokoto state, Ahmed Aliyu, to perish the thought of dethroning the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa’aadu Abubakar, describing the traditional ruler as one of the most respected monarchs and religious leaders in the country.
Akpodoro wondered why “an opportunistic young man” would make the dethronement of a traditional ruler a priority instead of developmental competitions in pro masses projects delivery to the people among the governors in Nigeria.
The Mayor made the call on Monday, in a statement issued to journalists in his Ughelli country home as he wondered why the governor who lives under the advantages of continuous sacrifices being made by high-ranking traditional rulers like the Sultan to the growth and development of the nation after a meritorious career in the Nigerian Army.
In a country where the people are facing the daunting challenges associated with an economy under progressive reformation, Mayor Akpodoro said, it is callous, primitive, clueless, inept, reckless and an affront to commonsense for a governor to engage in an ignominious move to remove an exalted traditional ruler from the throne of his forefathers on flimsy excuses due to “empty pride and arrogance.”
The Gberegolor, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State-born Mayor, noted that if it is true that Governor Aliyu mulls dethroning the Sultan, it, therefore, means he is deliberately calling for anarchy in Sokoto sultanate and the country at large.
The Mayor stated that, the planned removal of the Sultan was badly conceived, and ill-motivated and added that such a move would be resisted by all peace lovers in the country.
He said: “No governor, let alone a political neophyte, who is still under the tutelage of his godfather, can depose the Sultan. Aliyu should perish that thought and immediately apologise to the revered monarch.”
A religious leader of repute and the head of the Muslim Ummah, His Eminence Abubakar, deserves respect and honour from Mr Aliyu and undeserving of such “disrespectful conduct” to a Retired General-turned traditional ruler for crass politics.
The statement said, that Nigerians will reject any thought of deposing the Sultan, threatening that if the Sultan is deposed, it will lead to nationwide radical revolution.
He added that Sultan’s stool is not only traditional but also religious maintaining that his jurisdiction goes beyond Sokoto.
He noted: “The governor of Sokoto state, Aliyu had deposed 15 traditional rulers on April 23, 2024; barely two months later, the despotic governor in a grotesque and desperate manner wants to dethrone the leader of the Islamic faith in the country – what a gut?”
Mayor Akpodoro who is Patron of the Maritime Security Agency, MASECA, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Agimor Group, said, “Without fear or trepidation, I unequivocally call on that governor to desist from an action that could jeopardise the fragile peace in the North Western region of the country.
“He should immediately apologise to the royal father and the Muslim Ummah for that embarrassing thought if he knew he could not rule Sokoto state without deposing the monarchs he met in place, he should resign and leave the Sultan’s throne sacred as he met it and stop harassing the col grotesquely and desperately in particular and Nigerians in general,” the renowned former warlord stated.
