Don’t fund pilgrimages with stolen money — Sultan tells politicians

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, has warned politicians and public officials against using stolen public funds to sponsor pilgrims to Mecca and Jerusalem. Addressing a stakeholders' meeting organized by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, the Sultan emphasized that corrupt financing for religious activities is unjustifiable, as God is not corrupt and would not accept such deeds.

He cautioned that the spiritual purpose of these activities cannot be used to justify the illegality of funding them with stolen money. In addition to this, the Sultan urged religious leaders to collaborate with anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to combat corruption and promote accountability.

He also called for the EFCC to carry out its duties without any political influence. Furthermore, the Sultan emphasized the importance of fostering mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims, asserting that strong interfaith relations are crucial for peaceful coexistence. He cautioned religious leaders against making divisive statements, especially during election periods, and advised them to focus on praying for national leaders instead of using religious platforms to foster division.