THE Sultan of Sokoto and Amir-ul Mu’mineen of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar on Sunday, reacted to a television broadcast which claimed that he snubbed Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu at a function in Abuja.
The report purportedly aired by African Independent Television (AIT), was with a video tag, “Did Sultan of Sokoto snub Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu?”
However, the Media and Publicity Consultant on behalf of Concerned Muslims., Prince Bashir Adefaka, in a statement, urged members of the public to disregard the video.
The statement titled, “VIDEO: Sultan did not snub Governor Sanwo-Olu” reads:
“Our attention has been drawn to a video report purportedly broadcast by AIT with a tag, “Did Sultan of Sokoto snub Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu?”
“The video is believed to show the event of 2020 Leadership Conference and Award held in Abuja, on Thursday 9 September, 2021 and attended by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osiinbajo (SAN), among other top dignitaries.
“In the purported video, Governor Sanwo-Olu is seen walking toward the Sultan, removing his nose mask in a way that appears he was trying to talk to quickly tell him about something private, important and not necessarily to greet him. They both look like having been together for as long the event lasted and are both positioned for the talk although, while doing that, a crowd surged among which the Sultan had a handshake with another man they may not have been as together as with the governor.
“Sad, though, the video emerged with a needless question making the unnecessary case about how the non-handshaking at that point in time between the two was a snub of the governor by the Sultan.
“It is not clear as to whether the video pictures and the voice comment illustrating it represent the intention of AIT. We must, however, say the video, ostensibly orchestrated and credited to the television station, is mischievous and, therefore, is condemnable for attempting to destroy the undestroyable image of the Leader of the Muslim Ummah.
“Such a shameful and cowardly act trying to cause disaffection between Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Sultan, considered to be a father to him like he is father to other well-intentioned figures in Nigeria and across the continent, can only come from an agent from the pit of hell and must be dismissed as merely a figment of imagination of the agents of doom.
‘We, therefore, urge members of the public to disregard the video as it is not possible for any such thing of snub to ever be contemplated from the Sultan to Governor Sanwo-Olu or any other governor in Nigeria, regardless his ethnic or religious background.
“The questions are: Did Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu feel or say that he was snubbed by the Sultan? And if he was snubbed, why should he have been snubbed by him?
“Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar is an undisputable epitome of competence in successfully managing combined religion, ethnicity related responsibilities without anyone ever having any reason to feel offended. He remains so and will continue to be. Let the fifth columnists be careful.” he added.
