The Sokoto State Government has constituted an Advisory Committee to investigate controversies surrounding utterances by some Islamic scholars in the state that allegedly contributed to a breach of peace.
The committee was established by Governor Ahmad Aliyu as part of efforts to examine the issues that generated the controversy and advise the government on appropriate measures to promote peace and religious harmony in the state.
The development was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Abubakar Bawa.
According to the statement, the committee will be chaired by Malam Yahaya Muhammad Boyi, the Sarkin Malamai, while Barr. Gandi Umar Muhammad will serve as its secretary.
The committee brings together Islamic scholars, academics, government officials and representatives of major Islamic organisations and traditional institutions in an effort to provide a broad-based assessment of the controversy.
Its members include Malam Muhammad Isah Mafara, Malam Bello Muhammad Boyi, Prof. Mansur Ibrahim Sa’id and Malam Lawal Maidoki.
The Commissioner for Religious Affairs is also a member of the committee.
Representatives of Izala from Kaduna and Jos, Tijaniyya, Qadiriyya, Jama’atu Nasril Islam and the Sultanate Council will also participate in the committee’s proceedings.
The government said the broad representation was intended to enable the committee to examine the religious issues from different perspectives and provide an informed advisory to the state government.
A major part of the committee’s mandate is to critically examine the position of Shari’ah on issues raised by Malam Musa Lukawa.
The committee is expected to consider the religious questions arising from the controversy and provide recommendations to the government based on its findings.
According to the government, the committee’s work is not limited to examining the statements that generated the controversy but also includes assessing their implications for peace and religious harmony in the state.
The administration said the committee would provide guidance that could assist the government in addressing the issues and preventing further tensions.
The committee has been given 14 days to submit its report to the Sokoto State Government.
The deadline means that members are expected to conduct their consultations and examination of the issues within a relatively short period before presenting their findings and recommendations.
The government did not disclose specific details of the alleged utterances or the circumstances surrounding the reported breach of peace.
It also did not state whether any sanctions or other measures would be imposed following the committee’s findings.
Instead, the administration said the initiative was aimed at promoting peace, unity and religious harmony across Sokoto State.
The constitution of the committee comes against the background of the importance of religious institutions and scholars in Sokoto, a state with a long-established Islamic scholarly and traditional heritage.
By bringing together representatives of different Islamic groups and the Sultanate Council, the government appears to be seeking a collective assessment of the issues rather than relying on a single religious interpretation.
The inclusion of representatives from Izala, Tijaniyya, Qadiriyya and Jama’atu Nasril Islam also gives the committee a broad religious representation as it examines the controversy.
The committee’s recommendations are expected to assist the state government in determining how best to address the issues raised and maintain peaceful relations among different religious constituencies.
The government’s decision to give the committee 14 days to submit its report also indicates the administration’s desire for an expedited review of the matter.
Until the committee completes its work, the government has not announced any further measures arising from the controversy.
The committee is expected to examine the position of Shari’ah, consult relevant stakeholders and submit its findings to Governor Ahmad Aliyu within the stipulated period.
The state government has continued to emphasise the importance of peace and unity in maintaining stability and allowing residents to pursue their social and economic activities without disruption.
The controversy involving the Islamic scholars has therefore prompted the administration to seek an advisory process involving scholars, religious organisations and traditional authorities.
The outcome of the committee’s review could provide the basis for further government action or guidance on the issues under investigation.
For now, the government has urged the committee to undertake its assignment and provide recommendations that will help promote religious harmony and peaceful coexistence in the state.
West Trybe reports that the Sokoto State Government has constituted the Advisory Committee following controversies over alleged utterances by some Islamic scholars that reportedly contributed to a breach of peace. The committee, chaired by Sarkin Malamai Yahaya Muhammad Boyi, has 14 days to examine the issues, consider the position of Shari’ah and advise the government on the way forward.
