BY micheal Abiodun Olanrewaju

The Chairman of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Prof. Ishaq Akintola has raised alarm over the rate of deposition of monarchs in Nigeria, saying over 20,000 have  been deposed as at 2024.

He raised this alarm as the keynote speaker  at the Conference on Islam in Nigeria organized by the Islamic Welfare Foundation in collaboration with Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin themed Social and Technology Development Architecture: the Role of Religion taking place at Ilorin.

Tracing the history of the powers and influence as well as attacks on traditional institutions across Nigeria from Colonial era to independence, military and civilian era with different examples, Akintola described Monarch’s removal as colonial mentality. The colonial rulers enact kings laws to serve their purpose which succeeding politicians held on to. He added that there is a mutual suspicion between the politicians and the monarchs on one hand and the religious leaders on the other.

Akintola therefore charged Islamic Welfare Foundation to advocate stoppage of proliferation of dethronement of traditional monarchs in Nigeria and appeal to Sokoto State House of Assembly to immunize the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Dr Mohammadu Abubakar from its Chief Law amendment. This is because Sultan is the Head of all Muslims in Nigeria as the leader of Nigeria Supreme Council on Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) which is the umbrella of all Muslims in Nigeria.

In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of Al,- Hikmah University, Prof Noah Yusuf represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr.Lanre Yusuf described the lecture as timely in view of evolving landscape, need for creative ideas, examining the dynamics of technology in line with religion, facilitation of knowledge sharing.