The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’advert Abubakar III, has reacted to a viral picture circulating on-line which allegedly exhibits the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, bowing to him in an act described as worship.
Nonetheless, the monarch firmly denied any hyperlink to the picture and dismissed it as false.
The controversial photograph gained traction throughout social media platforms, particularly on WhatsApp, the place it was extensively shared with claims suggesting non secular undertones.
The submit rapidly stirred reactions, with some customers making an attempt to attach it to the continued disaster in Benue State.
In an announcement launched by his media staff, the Sultan distanced himself fully from the claims. The assertion, issued by Prince Bashir Adefaka and titled ‘Re: False and deceptive claims circulating on social media,’ described the content material as fabricated and harmful.
In keeping with the assertion, the picture was not solely pretend however intentionally designed to mislead the general public and set off pointless pressure.
The media staff careworn that such content material seems to be a part of a broader try and introduce a divisive narrative alongside non secular and ethnic traces.
“The Media Group of the Sultan of Sokoto has been alerted to a deceptive submit circulating throughout WhatsApp {groups} and different social media platforms, titled ‘leaked photograph of Governor Hyacinth Alia worshipping the Sultan of Sokoto.’”
“The content material makes an attempt to introduce a divisive non secular and ethnic narrative into the continued safety challenges in Benue State.”
“We want to categorically state that the picture in query is pretend, possible AI-generated, and intentionally crafted to misinform the general public. It’s also a mischievous and harmful try and affiliate the revered management of Muslims in Nigeria, notably the Sultan of Sokoto, with points unrelated to his workplace or particular person.”
The assertion additional defined that the claims hooked up to the picture falsely accused the Sultan of spiritual bias. It warned that such allegations might worsen tensions in an already delicate scenario.
“The accompanying commentary falsely alleges non secular bias and makes an attempt to inflame tensions by linking the Sultan to the disaster in Benue State. Such claims are usually not solely baseless but additionally represent a critical threat to nationwide unity and safety.”
“‘’These actions mirror a sample of disinformation designed to incite division and undermine peaceable coexistence amongst Nigerians.”
The Sultan’s media staff emphasised his long-standing position as a promoter of peace and unity throughout non secular traces. It famous that the monarch has persistently supported dialogue and concord amongst completely different faiths and ethnic {groups} within the nation.
“As custodians of the picture and public communication of the Sultan of Sokoto, who additionally serves as President-Normal of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Chairman of the Nationwide Conventional Rulers Council of Nigeria, Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Inter-Non secular Council and Co-President of the World Religions for Peace, New York, we condemn these acts within the strongest phrases.”
The assertion urged Nigerians to ignore the viral submit and keep away from spreading unverified data. It additionally referred to as on the general public to stay cautious of content material designed to control feelings and create division.