REFLECTION ON POLITICS AND TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA: THE ROLE OF SULTAN SA'AD ABUBAKAR III IN NIGERIA'S PEACE PROCESS (2006-2026)

Abstract

Since his emergence as the 20^th Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Sa’adAbubakar III has been an advocate of promoting Nigeria’s peace process particularly through Nigeria Inter-religious Council and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. The strategies employed by the Sultan helps in the promotion of peace especially in the Northern Nigeria because his subjects see him as a permanent pillar of their existence despite some challenges he encounters in this regard. These challenges include lack of constitutional role to play in managing problems such as hate speeches, taking laws at hand, fall out of international crises, religious crisis, and political crisis because of outcome of elections. The study also highlighted external forces that resulted in the usurpation of traditional institutions powers, especially the British colonial onslaught. Qualitative methodology was chosen because it provides an enabling environment for an adequate interaction between the researcher and the key informants. There have been several studies on the role of traditional Institutions in the promotion of Nigeria’s peace process. This study, however, focuses on bridging the gaps of the previous studies with emphasis on the 20^th Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’adAbubakar III who deserves to be provided with constitutional roles to play with a view to enhancing the promotion of Nigeria’s peace process.