Sultan of Sokoto Reacts to Viral Photo of Governor Alia Worshipping Him

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, has reacted to a viral image circulating online which allegedly shows the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, bowing to him in an act described as worship.

However, the monarch firmly denied any link to the image and dismissed it as false.

The controversial photo gained traction across social media platforms, especially on WhatsApp, where it was widely shared with claims suggesting religious undertones.

The post quickly stirred reactions, with some users attempting to connect it to the ongoing crisis in Benue State.

In a statement released by his media team, the Sultan distanced himself completely from the claims. The statement, issued by Prince Bashir Adefaka and titled ‘Re: False and misleading claims circulating on social media,’ described the content as fabricated and dangerous.

According to the statement, the image was not only fake but deliberately designed to mislead the public and trigger unnecessary tension.

The media team stressed that such content appears to be part of a broader attempt to introduce a divisive narrative along religious and ethnic lines.

“The Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto has been alerted to a misleading post circulating across WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms, titled ‘leaked photo of Governor Hyacinth Alia worshipping the Sultan of Sokoto.’”

“The content attempts to introduce a divisive religious and ethnic narrative into the ongoing security challenges in Benue State.”

“We wish to categorically state that the image in question is fake, likely AI-generated, and deliberately crafted to misinform the public. It is also a mischievous and dangerous attempt to associate the revered leadership of Muslims in Nigeria, particularly the Sultan of Sokoto, with issues unrelated to his office or person.”

The statement further explained that the claims attached to the image falsely accused the Sultan of religious bias. It warned that such allegations could worsen tensions in an already sensitive situation.

“The accompanying commentary falsely alleges religious bias and attempts to inflame tensions by linking the Sultan to the crisis in Benue State. Such claims are not only baseless but also constitute a serious threat to national unity and security.”

“‘’These actions reflect a pattern of disinformation designed to incite division and undermine peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.”

The Sultan’s media team emphasized his long-standing role as a promoter of peace and unity across religious lines. It noted that the monarch has consistently supported dialogue and harmony among different faiths and ethnic groups in the country.

“As custodians of the image and public communication of the Sultan of Sokoto, who also serves as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Chairman of the National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council and Co-President of the World Religions for Peace, New York, we condemn these acts in the strongest terms.”

The statement urged Nigerians to disregard the viral post and avoid spreading unverified information. It also called on the public to remain cautious of content designed to manipulate emotions and create division.