The government of Sokoto state has explained why the State House of Assembly made a law that stripped the Sultan of the power to appoint anyone.
Nasiru Binji, the state commissioner for justice, said there is no constitutional provision for the Sultan of Sokoto to make appointments, adding that the existing chieftaincy law in the state contravened the constitution of Nigeria.
Daily Trust reported that Binji made this known while speaking at a public hearing on the Sokoto Local Government and Chieftaincy Law 2008 on Tuesday, July 2.
Sokoto law that contravenes Nigeria constitution
The commissioner maintained that section 76(2) of the state law contradicted section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. His statement reads in part: “Section 5(2) of the constitution stipulates that the executive power to appoint in the state is vested on the Governor directly or through his deputy, commissioners or any government agent assigned by the Governor.” He stressed that the above indicated that the Nigeria constitution did not empower the Sultan to appoint, but 76(2) of the Sokoto and local government and chieftaincy law gave the power to appoint district and village heads in the state to the Sultanate council.
MURIC raise alarm on plot to depose Sultan
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) raised the alarm over Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto state’s alleged plot to depose the Sultan of Sokoto. Prof. Isiaq Akintola, the executive director of MURIC, expressed concerns over the state government’s possible move to depose the Sultan. The development also followed ongoing controversies trailing the removal of five monarchs in Kano state.
Sultanate crisis: Court issues restrain to government
Legit.ng earlier reported that Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto state has been issued a restrained order by the state high court over the appointment of removal of district heads. Justice Kabiru Ahmed issued the order to the state governor, pending the hearing of the interlocutory injunction before his court. This revelation was made amid the report that the state government was plotting to remove the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III.