The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has warned political actors against attempting to use the council as a vehicle for partisan lobbying ahead of the 2027 general election, saying the organisation will remain guided by its values and principles.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
Speaking in Abuja at the NSCIA General Assembly, the council’s highest decision-making organ, the Sultan acknowledged that political actors had already begun reaching out to individual members and sending correspondence to the organisation as political activities intensify ahead of the election.
He made it clear, however, that such approaches would not determine the direction of the council.
“Some of our members are speaking to some of the election people who are sitting by the side. We tell them who we are, what we stand for, and we shall try to do the best that we can do,” the Sultan said.
His remarks came at a time when political parties, candidates and support groups are already building alliances and mobilising ahead of the 2027 elections, with campaign structures increasingly taking shape across the country.
The Sultan urged members of the Muslim community to remain united and avoid allowing partisan interests to weaken the collective voice of the Ummah.
He said the council must continue to approach national questions from the standpoint of principle rather than political convenience, especially as politicians intensify efforts to court religious and community leaders.
The NSCIA General Assembly brought together leaders of Islamic organisations, State Councils for Islamic Affairs, Muslim public office holders and prominent members of the Muslim community from across the country. The council had announced ahead of the meeting that the assembly would serve as a platform for consultation on issues affecting Muslims and the wider Nigerian society.
The Sultan also disclosed that plans were underway to make the General Assembly an annual event, with the aim of strengthening consultation, cohesion and coordination among Muslim organisations and leaders.
The meeting followed a special national prayer organised by the council at the Abuja National Mosque, where participants prayed for peace, security, good governance, unity and the progress of Nigeria. The NSCIA had earlier said the prayer and assembly formed part of its broader effort to promote peaceful coexistence and national stability.
At the prayer session, the Secretary-General of the council, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, urged politicians seeking public office to fear God and place the survival and wellbeing of Nigeria above personal political ambition.
The council also used the gathering to restate its interest in questions of leadership recruitment and governance, identifying security, the economy, infrastructure and human capital development among the areas where it expects political leaders to offer clear direction.
For the NSCIA, the approach to the coming elections should therefore go beyond personalities and partisan loyalties.
The council said political engagement must be measured against issues affecting ordinary Nigerians and the broader responsibility of leadership to protect peace, promote justice and improve living conditions.
The Sultan’s warning comes weeks after he separately urged Nigerians to carefully assess political promises before deciding who to support in 2027, while cautioning against divisive politics.
That position places the NSCIA’s latest message within a broader call for religious and traditional institutions to avoid becoming platforms for uncritical political endorsement.
The Sultan did not say the council would refuse to engage political actors altogether. Rather, he stressed that any engagement must remain consistent with the identity, principles and responsibilities of the NSCIA.
As political consultations deepen ahead of 2027, his message to members of the council was that access to the organisation should not be confused with an ability to influence its collective position.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
