“The Sultan of Sokoto remains a respected symbol of peace, moderation, and national unity. Attempts to drag his reputation into divisive propaganda will continue to fail because millions of Nigerians already know his character and contributions. Mike Arnold is entitled to his opinions. He is not entitled to manufacture falsehoods in pursuit of division.”
By now, Mike Arnold should understand that global politics has evolved beyond the simplistic narratives he continues to push about certain Muslim-majority nations. Recent geopolitical developments, including the openly inconsistent foreign policy posture of United States President Donald Trump, have exposed the double standards behind branding countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia as inherently linked to terrorism.
The same United States political establishment that once justified interventions in the Middle East has also supported armed groups and political actors whose activities destabilized sovereign nations, including Syria. Against this backdrop, Mike Arnold’s repeated attempt to associate the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, with extremism appears not only reckless but deeply dishonest.
Arnold’s fixation on the Sultan raises questions about motive. The Sultan, a former Nigerian military attaché who served his country with distinction, has consistently advocated peace, religious harmony, and national unity. The Nigeria’s singularly most multifaceted leader is also the Co-President World’s Religions for Peace headquartered in New York. Yet Arnold persistently attempts to paint him in negative colours, relying on sensationalism rather than verifiable facts. Who takes such a man seriously?
It is also important to state clearly that groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which Arnold and others indirectly romanticize in foreign lobbying circles, still keeps its status intact as a terrorist organization under Nigerian law as pronounced by competent court in world’s most important black nation. No amount of propaganda can erase that legal reality.
Many Nigerians are now beginning to recognize that the age of Western media monopoly is over. During previous decades, global narratives were largely shaped by Western outlets such as CNN, BBC, and The Washington Post among others, which heavily influenced media consumption in countries like Nigeria. Today, however, alternative international platforms such as Al Jazeera, RT, CGTN, TRT World, Arab News, Press TV, and TASS have created a more multipolar media environment where competing perspectives are available.
This shift has enabled many people around the world to critically re-assess long-standing global conflicts, especially the situation in Gaza and the broader Middle East. Increasingly, many observers now question the role of the United States and Israel in the prolonged suffering of Palestinians and criticize what they see as selective outrage from Western political and media institutions.
Mike Arnold, however, appears determined to sustain narratives that demonize Muslim societies while ignoring actions by Western powers where he belongs and their allies that have also contributed to instability and violence globally. That is aiding and abetting terrorism and still claiming moral capacity to lead a Christian cause like “Christian genocide” in Nigeria. His writings and social media broadcasts target Islam, Muslim leaders, and especially the Sultan of Sokoto, whom he appears eager to portray negatively at every opportunity.
Yet the Sultan’s public record stands in sharp contrast to Arnold’s claims.
His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, is not merely a traditional ruler. He is a retired Brigadier General of the Nigerian Army, a descendant of the revered Islamic reformer Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio, and one of the most respected Muslim leaders globally. He has dedicated his life to promoting peace, interfaith dialogue, and national cohesion. He has delivered lectures nationally and internationally that leaders of the world have considered vital to global conflict resolution.
Mike Arnold, if he is a real intellectual as mayor of a small United States City of Texas, should come out and tell the world those global conflicts Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has been praised as contributor to providing solutions to, who are responsible for them? He should be bold – as a true Christian that he calls himself – to tell us. If he dies not get it right we shall correct him.
The Sultan has received numerous honors and recognitions from reputable institutions in Nigeria and abroad, including honorary doctorates and fellowships. He has also consistently appeared among the world’s most influential Muslim leaders due to his contributions to peacebuilding and Islamic leadership.
Importantly, his impact transcends religion and ethnicity, much as he does not shy away from being proud to be the Muslim and Fulani man that he is. Many Nigerians across regional and religious divides acknowledge his efforts toward unity and peaceful coexistence. Even critics of Northern political structures have often recognized his moderating influence in national affairs.
Despite being a Fulani Muslim leader, the Sultan has quietly supported educational advancement, including opportunities for women and girls from different parts of Nigeria. These are contributions rarely acknowledged by those who prefer divisive narratives.
Now, as political activities ahead of Nigeria’s future elections intensify, Arnold’s real agenda appears increasingly obvious. His public comments suggest a preference for religious polarization over national unity. Statements attributed to him about the “inevitable splitting of Nigeria,” as well as his selective political endorsements based on religious identity, reinforce concerns that he views Nigeria primarily through a sectarian lens.
Most disturbing is his attempt to link political figures such as Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the Sultan in ways designed to provoke religious suspicion and hostility. Such rhetoric is dangerous, irresponsible, and harmful to national stability. Thus American must not be allowed by any right thinking Nigerian to carry through with such mischievous narrative.
Disagreement in politics is normal. Criticism of public figures is legitimate. But deliberate distortion, religious hostility, and sensational falsehoods should have no place in responsible public discourse.
The Sultan of Sokoto remains a respected symbol of peace, moderation, and national unity. Attempts to drag his reputation into divisive propaganda will continue to fail because millions of Nigerians already know his character and contributions.
Mike Arnold is entitled to his opinions. He is not entitled to manufacture falsehoods in pursuit of division.
*Bashir Adefaka, a Nigerian media proprietor, is publisher of The DEFENDER Newspaper. Can be reached via: omope72@gmail.com
