The Sultanate Council has firmly dismissed a viral video circulating on social media that allegedly shows a protest against hunger at the Palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar. In an official statement, the Council described the video as fake and misleading.
Official Statement from the Sultanate Council
The statement, signed by Aminu Haliru Gidadawa, Public Relations Officer of the Sultanate Council, and issued in Sokoto on Sunday, clarified that the footage is not recent. It was recorded in 2024 during nationwide demonstrations over the rising cost of food items.
“The attention of the Sultanate Council has been drawn to a video currently recirculating on social media, being presented as a recent protest against His Eminence over the hunger situation,” the statement read. “We wish to state categorically that the video is not recent. It is a false narrative.”
Context of the Video
The Council emphasized that the video is being shared out of context to mislead the public. It reiterated that the Sultan does not participate in partisan politics and has consistently advocated for measures to address the hardship affecting the public.
“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.
Current Situation at the Palace
The Sultanate Council assured the public that there is calm at the palace, with no protests, disturbances, or unrest taking place. “The atmosphere remains peaceful, as it always has been. There are no protests, disturbances, or unrest taking place at the palace or its environs,” the statement noted.
Call for Public Verification
The Council urged the public to verify information before sharing it on social media. It warned that resurfacing old content to create the impression of current unrest serves no public interest and distracts from ongoing efforts to improve food security and public welfare.
The statement concluded by calling on citizens to remain vigilant and avoid spreading false narratives that could undermine peace and stability in the region.
