When freedom of speech goes too far

Social media is awash with ludicrous stories that President Jonathan is planning to remove the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and replace him with the National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retired). This is one of the most ridiculous things one could read anywhere. Idle minds, somewhere, simply sit and concoct fairy tales […]

Social media is awash with ludicrous stories that President Jonathan is planning to remove the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and replace him with the National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retired). This is one of the most ridiculous things one could read anywhere. Idle minds, somewhere, simply sit and concoct fairy tales in order to cause confusion and disturb the peace.
What on earth could make President Jonathan remove the Sultan of Sokoto State? What is his interest in who becomes the Sultan and who doesn’t? If the President didn’t remove the Emir of Kano, with whom he had issues, what would have been the valid reason for which he would seek to impose a Sultan on the people of Sokoto State? Social media has become a platform for all manner of people to display their guile and discerning Nigerians have a duty expose these kinds of lies.
As an indigene of Sokoto State, I feel a duty to expose this. The brains behind it are most likely interested in driving a wedge between the Sultan of Sokoto and the President, especially since Jonathan has always held the Sultan in the highest esteem, and any suggestion that he is plotting to dethrone the Muslim leader is intended to cause distrust.
Above all, however, the intention of those behind these false stories is to discredit and bring down the National Security Adviser by spreading the seeds of animosity among members of the ruling houses in the Sokoto caliphate. This bring-him-down syndrome is halting the progress of Nigeria. When Colonel Sambo Dasuki was appointed as the National Security Adviser, one would have expected the people of Sokoto State to support him to succeed but unfortunately, personal interests were placed above national interest.
Surprisingly, even the foremost politician in Sokoto State is reportedly openly hostile to Colonel Dasuki, which ultimately would send the wrong message especially since the hostility is not borne of public interest. As NSA, Colonel Dasuki should be supported by all stakeholders in Sokoto State as charity begins at home. He is representing Sokoto State in his current appointment. The publication of false stories against the President and the NSA is not in the best interest of the image of Sokoto State or Nigeria and dragging the name of the Sultan in the campaign of denigration against the President and the NSA is disrespectful to the institution of the Sultanate. We must rise above pettiness and personal animosity against particular public office holders in the interest of progress.
Damallam is based in Abuja.