The Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has called strongly for free fair and transparent elections in 2027. He warned that without credible polls the country may not enjoy stability.
The Sultan who is also the leader of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam made the demand in a message released on Sunday March 22 2026. The statement came as Muslims celebrated the end of the Ramadan fast. It was signed by the Secretary General of the group Professor Khalid Abubakar Aliyu.
In the message the Sultan said Nigeria must first be stable before it can be properly governed. He urged all leaders stakeholders and citizens to think deeply and work hard to make sure the 2027 general elections are honest open and fair to everyone.
He asked Nigerians to pray more for peace and unity in the country as the election year gets closer. According to him only credible elections can bring the kind of stability that allows good leadership to grow.
This call from the Sultan comes at a time when many other voices including opposition leaders Igbo youths and Peter Obi are also raising concerns about the coming polls. Some have warned against any plan to rig the election while others have criticised actions they see as targeting opposition figures.
The Sultan did not point fingers at any particular person or party. Instead he spoke as a respected traditional and religious leader asking everyone involved to do the right thing for the sake of the nation.
Many Nigerians see this as an important voice because the Sultan holds great influence especially in the northern part of the country. His words add to the growing pressure on the government and all political players to ensure the 2027 vote is not marred by violence manipulation or unfair practices.
The ruling party has not yet responded directly to the Sultan’s statement. However, the government has always said it is committed to democratic processes and free elections.
As parties begin to position themselves for 2027 the Sultan’s demand has sparked fresh conversations about what needs to be done now to build trust in the electoral system. Issues like timely release of voter cards proper funding for the electoral body and equal treatment of all candidates are already being discussed.
The Sultan ended by calling on all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to remain peaceful and focused on what will bring progress and unity to the country. His message has been widely shared and welcomed by many who believe credible elections are key to a better future for Nigeria.
