2027: Sultan of Sokoto Denies Endorsing Tinubu for Second Term

2027: Sultan of Sokoto Denies Endorsing Tinubu for Second Term

The Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that the monarch endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka, the Sultan’s Media Team described the reports as false and said the Sultan could neither publicly nor privately endorse any presidential candidate.

“Our simple response to the report is that it is not possible for the Sultan, as the father of all, to make such a statement, either publicly or in any other forum,” the statement said.

The clarification comes amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, with statements attributed to traditional and religious leaders increasingly attracting public attention and political interpretation.

The Sultan’s Media Team urged Nigerians to disregard what it described as a “malicious and unpatriotic” attempt to draw the monarch into partisan politics for personal interests.

According to the statement, the Sultan’s position as a traditional and spiritual leader requires him to remain above partisan politics while providing guidance, counsel and blessings to political leaders regardless of their political affiliations.

It said the institutions of traditional authority and religion under the Sultan’s leadership were intended to serve all Nigerians, adding that the monarch provides fatherly, royal and spiritual guidance to political leaders who seek his counsel without discrimination.

The statement further stressed that the Sultan’s palace remains open to Nigerians irrespective of their political affiliations and that the monarch has consistently maintained a position of fairness towards all citizens.

The Media Team reiterated that the Sultan has no preferred presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 election and warned against attempts to associate him with the campaign or candidacy of any politician.

It also called on journalists and social media users to verify political claims before publishing or sharing them, warning that misinformation involving respected traditional and religious institutions could mislead the public and heighten political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.