Sultan urges peaceful politics after receiving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso in Sokoto, calling for lawful campaigns ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 election
Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, received Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, at his palace in Sokoto on Monday and urged politicians and their supporters to pursue peaceful and lawful political activities ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Also read: 2027: Obi Promises to Reinstate Fuel Subsidy After Tackling Corruption
The meeting formed part of the NDC delegation’s consultations with traditional rulers and community leaders as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.
Obi and Kwankwaso were accompanied by the NDC governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Dr Shamsu Haido, and other party members.
According to the Sultan’s media team, the delegation discussed national issues, presented its political plans and sought the monarch’s prayers and royal blessings.
The Sultan told political actors that they had a constitutional right to present their manifestos, programmes and ideas to Nigerians and seek electoral support.
He cautioned, however, that those rights should be exercised responsibly, within the law and with respect for citizens who hold different political opinions.
The monarch specifically warned against insults, abusive language and inflammatory statements, saying such conduct could heighten tensions and create conditions for violence.
The Sultan also urged politicians to ensure that campaigns did not become vehicles for personal attacks, hatred or hostility between communities.
His message placed particular emphasis on the conduct of political supporters, with the monarch asking candidates and party leaders to lead by example and encourage their followers to maintain restraint.
The Sultan said political offices were temporary, while the unity, peace and stability of Nigeria were essential to the country’s development.
The intervention comes as political mobilisation for 2027 gathers pace, with major parties and emerging political alliances stepping up consultations across the country.
The Sultan’s palace has also received other political delegations during the current pre-election period.
On September 14, the Sultan received the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council delegation led by its Director-General, Senator Abdul-Aziz Abubakar Yari.
The delegation included Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu and the governors of Kebbi and Zamfara states.
The two visits have been presented by the Sultan’s media team as part of his stated role as a traditional father figure engaging political actors across party lines, rather than as an endorsement of a particular political platform.
Kwankwaso later described the reception as warm and expressed appreciation to the Sultan for his leadership and hospitality.
“Upon our arrival in Sokoto today, I had the honour of accompanying our Presidential Candidate, His Excellency Peter Obi, on a courtesy visit to the Sultan,” Kwankwaso said in a statement reported after the meeting.
Obi also thanked the Sultan for receiving the delegation and described the meeting as part of the NDC’s wider consultations with traditional and community leaders.
The Sokoto engagement came during a broader period of political activity by Obi and Kwankwaso.
The pair have been holding consultations and meetings with party figures and communities as the NDC builds its structure ahead of the 2027 contest.
For the Sultan, however, the immediate message was less about campaign positioning and more about the manner in which political competition should unfold.
Nigeria’s electoral history has repeatedly demonstrated the human cost that can follow heated political rhetoric and confrontation.
Against that backdrop, the monarch’s appeal for restraint places responsibility on candidates, parties and supporters alike to keep political disagreements within democratic and legal boundaries.
The Sultan urges peaceful politics at a time when the country’s political landscape is becoming increasingly active, making his appeal relevant beyond the NDC delegation that visited his palace.
The coming campaign period is likely to bring sharper political differences as parties present competing programmes and seek public support.
The Sultan’s message is that those differences should be managed without undermining Nigeria’s social cohesion or the right of citizens to hold opposing views.
Also read: 2027: Obi Promises to Reinstate Fuel Subsidy After Tackling Corruption
The Sokoto meeting therefore combined the ceremonial character of a traditional audience with a pointed civic appeal: political competition can be vigorous, but it should remain peaceful, lawful and respectful.
