From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Sultanate Council has dismissed a viral video circulating on social media, which allegedly showed a protest against hunger at the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, describing the claim as false and misleading.
This was contained in a statement signed by Aminu Haliru Gidadawa, the Public Relations Officer of the Sultanate Council, and issued in Sokoto on Sunday.
According to the statement, the video currently being recirculated online is not recent and is being deliberately shared out of context to create a false impression of unrest at the Sultan’s palace.
“The attention of the Sultanate Council has been drawn to a video currently circulating on social media and being presented as a recent protest against His Eminence over the hunger situation.
“We wish to state categorically that the video is not recent. It is a false narrative.
“The footage was recorded in 2024 during nationwide demonstrations over the rising cost of food items.
“The Sultan does not participate in partisan politics.
“It is being shared out of context to mislead the public,” the statement read.
The Council further stated that the Sultan’s position on the economic hardship facing Nigerians has remained consistent, noting that he has continually advocated measures aimed at addressing the challenges confronting citizens.
“His Eminence’s position then and now has been consistent. He was not in support of the hardship affecting the public and has continued to advocate for measures to address it,” the statement added.
The Sultanate Council also assured the public that there was no unrest at the palace, stressing that activities around the palace remained peaceful.
“There is calm at the palace. The atmosphere remains peaceful, as it always has been.
There are no protests, disturbances, or unrest taking place at the palace or its environs,” it stated.
The Council urged members of the public to verify information before sharing it online, warning that the resurfacing of old videos and content to suggest fresh unrest does not serve the public interest and only distracts from ongoing efforts to improve food security and public welfare.
