The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has told Nigerians to look beyond campaign rhetoric and scrutinise what politicians promise before deciding who gets their votes in the 2027 elections.
The monarch gave the warning on Monday when he received the All Progressives Congress 2027 Campaign Council, led by its Director-General, Senator Abdul-Aziz Yari Abubakar, at his palace in Sokoto.
He urged voters to listen carefully to candidates, assess their promises and choose those they believe would best serve their interests and the country.
The Sultan also urged politicians to keep insecurity and other national challenges out of partisan manipulation and focus their campaigns on issues capable of promoting peace, unity and development.
He said no government could completely eradicate insecurity and poverty but stressed that authorities could work to reduce their impact on citizens.
The Sultan’s comments came as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections and begin positioning their candidates and campaign messages before voters.
Earlier, Yari said the APC delegation visited the Sultan to seek his guidance, advice and prayers ahead of the election.
Yari also praised President Bola Tinubu, claiming that the APC-led Federal Government had several achievements to present to Nigerians, particularly under the Tinubu administration.
He said the government remained committed to peace, unity and national cohesion and assured the Sultan that the APC campaign council would conduct peaceful campaigns.
Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu said the 2027 electioneering process had commenced nationwide in line with the timetable and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Aliyu said the delegation considered it necessary to visit the Sultan because of his role as a traditional leader and his longstanding advocacy for peace and national unity.
The delegation included Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Senators Aliyu Wamakko, Adamu Aliero and Ali Modu Sheriff, former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari and former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, among others.