The Governor Ahmed Aliyu government in Sokoto State claims that the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, does not have the constitutional authority to designate district and village heads in the North-West state.
Muhammad Nasiru Binji, the Sokoto State Attorney General, revealed this during a public hearing at the State House of Assembly on Tuesday. The public hearing focused on a bill to alter the Sokoto State Local Government and Chieftaincy Law 2008.
He argued the statute granting the Sultan the authority to designate anyone violates the 1999 constitution.
The justice commissioner stated that the executive measure submitted to the Assembly tries to correct the contradiction.
“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.
“So, there is no power given to the sultanate council to appoint,” he said.
“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.”
Binji said, “To give the Sultanate Council the power to make appointments is contrary to the provisions of this section. That is why it is now presented to this honourable House to amend this section to revert to the tradition and the age-long council where the Sultanate Council recommends to the governor persons to be appointed as district heads, persons to be appointed as village heads, and not the other way round.
“In the proposed amendment, the Sultanate Council, as in Section 76 (1) will retain the function to recommend to the governor while the power to appoint will now be with the governor.”
Meanwhile, the Sultanate Council has expressed readiness to work and support the state government as well as operate with laws made by the government for the Council.
Earlier in June, the state’s High Court issued an order restraining Governor Ahmed Aliyu from sacking two of the 15 District Heads his government earlier removed from their seats.
A religious organisation, the Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC), had alleged a plot by the state government to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
Subsequently, Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday said the throne of the Sultan is an institution that must be jealously guarded and protected.
Also, the Sokoto State Government said contrary to speculations by some persons and groups, the current administration has no plan to depose the Sultan.