christian group faults sultan on non-indigeneship

A Christian group under the banner of Arewa United Faith (AUF) has criticized the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, for his claim that all residents in the state are treated as indigenes.

The group argued that for decades, Christians in the Muslim-majority northern region have been regarded as outsiders, with no church granted a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).

Speaking exclusively to our correspondent in response to the Sultan’s statement, Mr. Ezra Musa stated that Christians are largely absent from political offices in Sokoto.

“How can the Sultan claim that no one is treated as a non-indigene when Christians are attacked without provocation, yet neither the Sultan nor security agencies ensure justice is served?” he questioned.

It should be recalled that the Sultan had urged governors across Nigeria to treat all residents as indigenes, regardless of their state of origin.

“In Sokoto, we don’t have non-indigenes, but rather members of the resident communities,” the Sultan had stated, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and unity while encouraging other states to adopt this approach to foster peace and national integration.

However, Musa called on the Muslim-majority northern region to take inspiration from the South’s inclusivity rather than merely paying lip service to peaceful coexistence.