Don’t Beat Frustrated Nigerians With ‘Koboko,’ Show Empathy, Give Them Hope, Sultan Of Sokoto Tells Tinubu, Governors
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged President Bola Tinubu, the 36 state governors, and other political leaders to listen attentively to the concerns of Nigerians rather than responding with harshness or repression.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday during the launch of NASFAT’s history book to mark the organisation’s 30th anniversary, the Sultan cautioned against what he described as “beating Nigerians with koboko (horsewhip)” whenever they voice their frustrations over the state of the nation.
Instead, he said, leaders should show empathy and reassure citizens that better days lie ahead.
He urged Nigerian leaders to look at the people with the sympathy of a father for his child, stressing that justice must take precedence over injustice in governance.
The Sultan also expressed worry over the decline in quality education among Nigerian youths and called for renewed investment in human capital development.
He urged citizens to pray for their leaders rather than curse them, adding that constructive engagement is key to national progress.
He said that whatever problems they are facing or cries they are hearing, they should not carry a ‘koboko’ and whip people. Instead, they should extend a gentle hand, touch someone, and say, “Look, things will be okay.”
He also stressed that Nigeria cannot endure injustice if it is to survive, and that leaders at all levels must prioritise justice and fairness in all their dealings, while urging Nigerians to turn to God.
According to Sultan, “Justice is the foundation of any society”.
He said, “As Sheikh Abdulrauf said, a nation can endure with unbelief, but it cannot endure with injustice. So let’s face justice in whatever we do.
“Our leaders, our followers, all need to be just in whatever we do. And I believe, conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it. Conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it.
“Let’s tell ourselves the whole truth in whatever we do, how we do things. And let’s believe in almighty Allah as the owner of heaven and earth, as owner of everything and all of us, who brought us into this world to worship him.
“So, keep on doing the good work, and leave the rest to almighty Allah to bless all of us, as Muslims, as non-Muslims in this great country. Let’s pray for our leaders every time.
“From Mr. President, to all the governors, to all the local men chairman, to all our leaders at all levels. We need to pray for our leaders to do right, to do just. If you pray for your leader, he does good things, you enjoy.
“If you are lying to his whims and caprices, he does bad things, you will suffer. So let’s all just pray for our leaders. I want to say this, every time I have an opportunity like this, I want to say please pray for our leaders, for good health, for direction, and for that steadfastness of knowing that you as a leader, you will account for whatever you have done on earth to the almighty Allah.
“People say yes, times are tough, yes. But when times are tough, tough people overcome such tough times. Let’s believe whatever almighty Allah bless on us is his own will, his own wish, and we will overcome this.”
“And I believe 100% almighty Allah will bring ease to all of us in this great country and beyond. Let’s go back to him and him alone. Only him can give. Only him takes,” Sultan added.
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