The Sultan of Sokoto has come under fresh allegations that could attract international criminal scrutiny if not addressed. The Sultanate Council, however, dismissed the claims, insisting that the Sultan would not lower himself by responding to baseless accusations. According to the Council’s secretary, Alhaji Saidu Maccido, both the Federal Government and the Nigerian Senate had previously addressed the issue, making further responses unnecessary.
Maccido emphasized that the Sultanate Council remains focused on peace, unity, and truth, and would not be distracted by false narratives. He urged Nigerians to disregard divisive and inflammatory statements aimed at causing tension or undermining the Sultan’s reputation.
Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Segun Showunmi warned the Nigerian government to act swiftly to prevent the United States from invoking the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation and the Global Magnitsky Act. He cautioned that these measures could seriously damage Nigeria’s global image and restrict the influence of its elites abroad.
Showunmi explained that the CPC designation targets the entire government for violating religious freedom, while the Magnitsky Act punishes specific individuals found guilty of human rights abuses. According to him, when both are applied together, they exert “dual and comprehensive pressure” on both the state and those personally responsible.
He further highlighted that the Global Magnitsky Act, originally pushed by U.S. Senators John McCain and Ben Cardin, was created to ensure human rights violators and corrupt officials face global accountability. Showunmi added that countries like France and the UK might not defend Nigeria if the U.S. decides to enforce punitive measures.
