A viral social media claim against the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, has been exposed as misleading after fact-checkers confirmed his remarks were taken out of context from a livestock conference speech. The video, which circulated on X and Facebook, made it appear that the Sultan had endorsed President Bola Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid, but the reality is far different.
On August 1, 2026, an X user, HABIBU YUSUF SODANGI (@HabibuYSodangi), posted a clip with the caption: "Sultan of Fulani Sokoto was on live TV saying, Whether you like it or not, Tinubu is our only choice, and we want him to create a Fulani commission for us or a ministry so that this banditry will stop." The post quickly gained traction, and by August 2, it had drawn 3,691 views, 47 replies and 52 reposts. The claim also spread to Facebook, sparking intense political and ethnic debate.
Reactions to the Viral Claim
The post generated a wave of responses, some of which were inflammatory. A user named Aku Obinna (@AkuObinna18701) wrote: "What do Fulani bring to the national table? This useless country is overdue, needs to be divided into pieces, everybody on your own." Another user, OUT OF EXPERIENCE (@outexperienc), commented: "Omo the Agenda is shifting to another level and getting more interesting. Jihadists govt is taking over Nigeria soon. That's the message."
However, some users immediately questioned the authenticity of the claim. Hamza (@aminuhs) asked: "Which TV was that, date and time of the session? None! This is called slander, and it's punishable by law! You'll find yourself in jail one day."
The Real Context: MACBAN Conference Speech
Fact-checking platform DUBAWA traced the footage to the opening ceremony of the 2026 National Conference of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), which took place in Abuja on July 30, 2026. The Sultan was not on a live television show, but rather addressing cattle breeders at the event.
In his speech, the Sultan focused entirely on the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, a newly created ministry under President Tinubu's administration. He described the establishment of the ministry as unprecedented and expressed his support for the government's livestock reforms. The ministry is aimed at addressing the long-standing herder-farmer clashes that have claimed thousands of lives in Nigeria over the years.
Translated from Hausa, his exact words were: "Whether you like it or not, honestly, this is something that has never been done before. We must thank him, support him further, so he can continue the good work he is doing in this country." He also praised the creation of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Committee and noted that the reforms would benefit herders and farming communities alike.
DUBAWA Verdict: Misleading
DUBAWA's investigation found no evidence of any endorsement of Tinubu's re-election bid. The claim that the Sultan said "Tinubu is our only choice" and called for a Fulani commission or ministry is a distortion of his actual words. The Sultan was merely commending specific government policies, not making a political pronouncement.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Tribune Newspaper, which both covered the MACBAN event, did not report any presidential endorsement, further confirming that the viral post was misrepresented.
Impact and Related News
The rapid spread of such misinformation is concerning, particularly in the context of Nigeria's upcoming 2027 elections. The Sultan, as a highly respected traditional and religious leader, holds significant influence, and his words are often weighed heavily by the public. Misquoting him risks deepening ethnic and religious divisions.
In an unrelated but significant development, the Director of City Boys Movement, Sokoto State chapter, Hon. Ma'uds Musa Bashar Rahamaniyya, has expressed condolences over the passing of former Finance Minister Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, who died on July 29, 2026, at the age of 94. Alhaji, also known as Triple A, served as Nigeria's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. The Sultan is expected to have also mourned the loss.
This fact-check serves as a reminder to social media users to verify information before sharing it. In an era of viral misinformation, the consequences of taking quotes out of context can be severe.
