The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Mohammad Abubakar II, has urged Nigerians to cease castigating their leaders, emphasizing that they should leave judgment to God. Speaking at the Regional Conference on Climate Change-Induced Conflicts in Northern Nigeria, held by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith in collaboration with International Alert, he called on Nigerians to increase prayers for their leaders and the nation.
The Sultan pointed out that both good and bad times are temporary, encouraging Nigerians to pray earnestly for positive change. He reminded leaders that they will stand alone before God on the Day of Resurrection, with no one to defend them. He further advised religious leaders not to mislead their followers, stating that around 90 percent of believers in mosques and churches view them as saviours, yet, he stressed, only God can save anyone.
“Do your best in worshipping Allah and leave the rest to Him,” the Sultan stated. He emphasized that people should not follow leaders who might lead them astray and urged the nation to return to God. “Intensify prayers for our country in all mosques, and I believe churches will do the same,” he said, gesturing towards the presence of the CAN President.
Addressing challenges in the nation, he added, “Some say we have never had it so bad, but nothing, good or bad, lasts forever. With dedicated effort, Nigeria can overcome these struggles. Let us pray for our leaders instead of condemning them and leave them to God’s will.”
Reflecting on leadership, he remarked, “Allah will question each of us about our leadership on that day. You’ll stand alone—no deputy governor, no special adviser, just you. Let us fear Allah in all our actions and pray for our nation’s prosperity.”
The Sultan acknowledged the unique challenges in the North, including poverty, insecurity, and insufficient awareness about climate change. He emphasized unity, noting that “the North has a strength that extends beyond Nigeria; united, we can achieve great things. However, certain groups spread misinformation to divide us.”
In agreement, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Most Reverend Dr. D.C. Okoh, echoed the need for environmental awareness, calling climate change a humanitarian crisis in the North that requires immediate attention. He advocated for tackling the roots of conflict, including poverty, inequality, and resource scarcity. He joined the Sultan in encouraging leaders to be truthful, emphasizing that Nigeria, a country deeply rooted in faith, can overcome its challenges through prayer and divine support.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, also addressed the gathering, outlining the state’s initiatives to counter climate change. “We have developed a Climate Change Policy to secure a resilient future for Kaduna State,” he said. This policy, he explained, focuses on sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, water resource management, and biodiversity preservation. Governor Sani also commended the Interfaith Bureau for organizing the timely conference.
