The Sultanate Council has dismissed recent social media rumours falsely claiming that the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, left the country following a purported United States airstrike in Sokoto.
Addressing the misinformation, the Council confirmed that Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar was in attendance at the 2026 cultural summit titled *ECHOS OF RESILIENCE: Harnessing Culture for Peace and Regional Stability*, held at Ramat Square, Maiduguri, Borno State.
A statement released on Friday by Aminu Haliru Gidadawa, Public Relations Officer of the Sultanate Council, Sokoto, and made available to newsmen, quoted the Sultan congratulating Borno State Governor Professor Baba Gana Umara Zulum for his remarkable achievements in fostering peace and development in the State despite significant challenges.
Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar also expressed gratitude for the Governor’s warm hospitality during the summit and wished him success in all his future endeavors.
He highlighted that the hosting of the Durbar and other cultural events, which drew thousands of attendees from across the State, signifies that peace and unity have firmly taken root in Borno.
The Sultan further stated that his attendance reflected the long-standing brotherhood and solidarity between the Sokoto Caliphate and Kanem-Borno Empire — a relationship sustained over centuries despite cultural diversity, which both States harness as a source of strength and unity.
He also acknowledged the support of the Shehu of Borno, with whom he jointly oversees the affairs of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, and the Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, wishing the Shehu many more years of fruitful service to the Borno Emirate and humanity.
Expressing further appreciation, Sultan Sa’ad acknowledged the presence of representatives from Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Benin, Ghana, and Saudi Arabia at the summit, wishing them safe journeys home.
In their remarks, Borno State Governor Professor Baba Gana Umara Zulum and Shehu of Borno Dr. Abubakar Umar Garbai Elkanem thanked the Sultan for his attendance, emphasizing the event’s role in promoting culture as a unifying force for peace and progress.
The summit was also attended by the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and numerous dignitaries from within and outside Borno State.
