The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, has congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni, on the 20th anniversary of his coronation.
Guwor described the Sultan’s two decades on the throne of the Sokoto Caliphate as a remarkable period defined by peace, wisdom, humility and selfless service to Nigeria.
In a congratulatory message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nkem Nwaeke, the Speaker, who spoke on behalf of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, commended the Sultan for his outstanding contributions to national unity, religious tolerance, interfaith dialogue and good governance.
He noted that since ascending the throne on November 2, 2006, the Sultan, who is also the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has continued to use his position and influence to promote peaceful coexistence and national cohesion.
According to Guwor, the revered traditional ruler has remained a voice of reason, moderation and wisdom, providing guidance and counsel to governments at different levels.
He described the Sultan as a leader whose influence transcends religious and regional boundaries, particularly through his commitment to education, youth development, peace-building and mutual respect among Nigerians.
While celebrating the milestone, Guwor called for stronger and more structured collaboration between traditional institutions and government as part of efforts to address the country’s security challenges.
He maintained that achieving sustainable peace and security, especially at the grassroots, requires the active involvement of traditional rulers, who are closer to the people and understand the peculiarities of their communities.
“As Speakers of State Legislatures, we firmly believe that lasting peace and security cannot be achieved by government alone. There is an urgent need for constant engagement and collaboration with traditional institutions, who are closest to the people and custodians of our communities,” he said.
The Conference Chairman also urged traditional rulers across the country to sustain their support for government at all levels in tackling insecurity, stressing that their involvement remains crucial to intelligence gathering, conflict prevention, communal harmony and grassroots stability.
Guwor further emphasised the importance of such partnerships as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, noting that the period demands restraint, dialogue and a collective commitment to national unity.
He urged political leaders, traditional institutions and citizens to see the forthcoming elections as an opportunity to strengthen democratic values rather than deepen divisions.
“As we move towards the 2027 elections, we must work together for a greater, more united and more secure Nigeria. The elections must be seen as an opportunity to deepen democracy, not to divide us. Dialogue over confrontation and unity over division are principles we must all uphold,” he added.
The Delta Assembly Speaker concluded by praying Almighty Allah to grant the Sultan long life, sound health and continued wisdom to lead the Muslim Ummah and serve as a father figure to Nigerians across religious and ethnic divides.
