Sokoto gets law stripping Sultan of power to make appointments
Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State, on Thursday, assented to six new laws, including the amended Sokoto Local Government and Chieftaincy Law, which generated controversy across the country.
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The new law stripped the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, of the power to appoint district and village heads in the state.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the governor insisted that the new laws were not for witch-hunt of any individual or group but to strengthen good governance in the state.
“We note with concern the unnecessary tension created by our proposal to amend some of these laws. Some of the reactions were politically motivated, while others were done ignorantly without care to inquire from the right quarters on the details and intention of the amendment.
“It is a known fact that in every society laws are enacted and amended to suit the needs of time and interest of the governed in line with circumstances at hand.
“Previous administration had amended one law or the other in the state with a view to giving the state laws the needed touch that would fast-track peace and development.
“Let me make it clear that the just amended laws are not meant for the witch-hunt of any individual or group but rather to promote good governance and to remove the ambiguity and inconsistency with the nation’s constitution.”
The governor advised Muslim clerics against allowing “lazy politicians” to use them in scoring their political goals.
Aliyi said his administration would continue to listen to the yearnings and aspirations of the Sokoto people.
“Whenever we come across any law that does not suit the interests of our people we will not hesitate to replace it,” he vowed.
The other laws signed by the governor included the Sokoto State Tenancy Law; Zakkat and Waqf Law, Discrimination Against People Living with Disability Law.
The Muslim Rights Concern had in June raised concerns about an alleged plan by the Sokoto State governorment to depose the Sultan of Sokoto.
Reacting to the alarm, Vice President Kashim Shettima, at a North-West Security Forum, warned that the Sultan of Sokoto represented an idea that must be jealously guarded and projected for the nation’s growth.
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The Sokoto State government, however, denied the allegation.
The state flayed MURIC for what it described as a false alarm and also advised Shettima to always cross-check his facts before commenting on sensitive national matters.
At a public hearing organised by the state Assembly, the Sokoto State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Nasir Muhammad Binji, justified the move to amend the law, saying the appointment of district heads by the Sultan was an usurpation of the power of the governor.
He said, “Section 5(2) of the Constitution stipulates that the executive power to appoint in the state is vested in the governor directly or through his deputy, commissioners or any government agent assigned by the governor.
“So, there is no power given to the Sultanate council to appoint. Section 76(2) of the Sokoto Local Government and Chieftaincy Law gives the Sultanate Council the power to appoint district and village heads in the state but with the approval of the sitting governor.
“So, the section is inconsistent with the 1999 constitution as amended and therefore it cannot stand. Because the power to appoint is the executive power and who exercises the power? Is it not the governor? This is the reason for the amendment. To correct the mistake of the past.”
However, in a statement on Sunday, the Council of Imams and Ulama in Kaduna State expressed displeasure with the move to strip the Sultan of the power of appointment.
“We stand in solidarity with His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and criticise any attempt to degrade or undermine the esteemed office.
“The Sultanate represents the collective identity and heritage of Nigerian Muslims, transcending state boundaries.
“We view any assault on the Sultanate as an attack on our collective dignity and faith.
“We urge all parties involved to sheath their swords and embrace peace, recognising the Sultanate’s pivotal role in promoting unity, understanding, and harmony among Muslims and Nigerians.
“We call on the authorities to respect the Sultanate’s sanctity and historical significance, ensuring its continued role as a beacon of guidance and wisdom,” the council said.
