The Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto has dismissed a video currently circulating on social media that purports to show a protest outside the Sultan’s Palace, saying the footage is outdated and being recirculated to create a false impression of unrest.
In a statement, the palace said the clip — which shows individuals gathered in front of the palace brandishing leaves — dates back to 2024, when nationwide demonstrations took place over rising food costs and worsening economic conditions. The team described the recent spread of the video as deliberate and politically motivated, aimed at undermining the peaceful relationship between Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and the people of the Caliphate.
“The video is not recent,” the statement said. “It is now being deliberately shared out of context to mislead the public.” The palace urged Nigerians to disregard the “misleading narrative” attached to the footage and to verify information before resharing content on social media.
The statement also stressed that there is no current crisis or disagreement involving the Sultan and his subjects. “There is peace at the Sultan’s Palace,” it said, adding that the palace and its environs remain calm and that there are no protests, disturbances, or security concerns in or around the palace.
Reaffirming the Sultan’s longstanding position on national hardship, the media team said His Eminence “has always expressed concern over the hardship faced by Nigerians and continues to advocate policies and measures aimed at improving the welfare of citizens.”
The palace called on well-meaning Nigerians to condemn attempts to politicize the revered institution of the Sultanate by resurfacing old videos to create tension. “The deliberate resurfacing of old videos to create tension or imply ongoing unrest serves no constructive purpose and only distracts from collective efforts towards peace, food security, and national development,” the statement added.
Journalists and social media users were advised to cross-check the provenance of viral material with authoritative sources before publishing or sharing.
