Sultan did not snub APC delegation-Hon Salame
By Onuminya Ochowechi
A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress APC in Sokoto state, Hon Abdullahi Balarabe Salame has refuted an allegation making round in some quarter that the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar had snubbed the national leadership of the party when they paid him condolence visit in his palace
This was contained in a press statement issued and made available to newsmen in Sokoto by the Salame’s spokesman, Alhaji Zayyanu Kada
The statement read thus: The attention of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress APC in Sokoto state have been drawn to a media publication circulating on some social media news outlets that the Sultan, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar snubbed a delegation from the national headquarters of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC who visited Sokoto to condole with the state over the unfortunate attack on innocent travelers at Gidan Bawa in Isa local government.
According to the statement the news item trending on social media that the Sultan has despite prior notice refused to come out to recive the delegation was not true.
Read Also: A Review of Nigeria’s Power Sector in 2021
The statement further clarified that the statement was a sponsord and calcultaed attempt to turnish and potray the current leadership of the party in the state in bad light
Salame said there was nothing but a communication gap between the Sultanate council and leadership of the party in the state
“In the sponsored statement, it was claimed that, the Sultan refused to receive the APC delegation” it is untrue and cannot be true.” Salame explained
“It is rediculous, unfounded and laughable for anybody to say that, the Sultan said he has nothing to do with the APC” given the fact that
His eminent has never identified himself with any political party. He regarded all as his children”
Just about a month ago when the Sultan honoured the Hon Salame an APC member representing Gwadabawa/ Illela federal constituency where he flagged off the distributions of some empowerment items provided by Hon Salame to the people of his constituency
“Salame invited the Sultan and the Sultan personally attended and commended the efforts of Salame who has been a founding member of the APC in Sokoto and key member at the National level for the gesture.
“The Sultan was equally at Jema village of Mammande Ward of Gwadabawa local government area, where the member representing Gwadabawa/Illelah Federal Constituency constructed a Primary Healthcare Centre.
“As leaders of our great party in Sokoto, we gathered that what actually happened at the palace happened as a result of communication breach,
“The Sultanate council are not properly briefed of the visit, which led to what happened.
“It is a common knowledge that the Sultan and indeed the palace of the Sultan is open to any body irrespective of their socioeconomic status religious or political affiliations provided the established channels were followed
“We are all living witnesses to the fact that people from far and near around the globe do pay homage to the Sultan to seek his blessings
Salame however, refuted a claim from the news items that the delegation had before the visit sent a letter to the Sultan’s palace which was officially acknowledged and obtained assurances that the Sultan would receive them when they arrived.
Hon Salame who is also a federal law maker , ( APC) representing Gwadabawa/ Illela federal constituency observed with dismay that, during the visit, some hoodlums and suspected political thugs believed to be sponsored invaded the palace of the Sultan chanting and singing some uncharitable political songs, which are not not befiting to be sang at the palace.
” All these songs and activities of political thugs and hoodlums may not be unconnected to the grandstanding of certain Individuals within our party that are not willing to move who are not comfortable with the party bubbling n the direction of honour and respect
“Such individuals are hell bent at creating factions and disunity in our party and this attitude they took to the palace to portrays our party as a political party that have no regard for traditional institutions or respect for religious leaders.
Hon Salame also noted that, the intent and purpose of this speculation is to disparage and ridicule the person of the Sultan and portrays out party as disrespectful to the traditional institutions, which we hold in high esteem and regard so dearly
“We cannot join others to do evil, we are distancing our great party from an organised attempt to desecrate this great institution that had stand as the model and light of leadership not just in Africa, but globally.
We know their goals and aim is one, and it is clear to everyone following their track records, they are only out to tarnish the image of the Sultanate Council and the traditional institutions.
“They have done it before, and they are not willing to change from their evil old ways, like they did in the past when they mobilised to create havoc by using thugs to attack traditional Institution like the Sultanate Council.” the statement pointed out
