The Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto has strongly refuted a viral social media post alleging that Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia was seen “worshipping” the Sultan.
The team described the image as fake, likely AI-generated, and a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation and inflame religious and ethnic tensions.
According to the statement signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka for the Media Team, the misleading post, which has circulated widely on WhatsApp and other platforms, falsely links the Sultan to the ongoing security challenges in Benue State.
The commentary accompanying the image alleges religious bias, but the Sultan’s Media Team insists the claims are baseless and dangerous to national unity.
The Sultan of Sokoto, who also serves as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Chairman of the National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council, and Co-President of the World Religions for Peace in New York, has for nearly two decades promoted peace, interfaith harmony, and national cohesion. The team condemned attempts to tarnish this legacy through fabricated content.
The statement emphasized that Islamic teachings strictly prohibit prostration to anyone other than Almighty Allah, making the alleged image fundamentally inconsistent with the Sultan’s faith and principles. It further noted that similar false narratives have been propagated by identifiable individuals on social media, warning that such activities risk worsening tensions and destabilizing fragile security environments.
Calling for decisive action, the Media Team urged the Federal Government and security agencies to investigate and prosecute those behind the spread of disinformation.
They also announced plans to begin profiling individuals responsible for such harmful content. Religious and community leaders across faiths were encouraged to promote responsible communication among their followers, particularly on social media.
The body reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that foster peace, mutual respect, and national unity, stressing that safeguarding Nigeria’s stability is a shared responsibility that transcends religious and ethnic boundaries.