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The Sokoto Sultanate Council has expressed its support for the move by the state House of Assembly to pass a new Emirate Council bill into law.
The Sultanate at a public hearing affirmed that it is a welcome development.
Dr Muhammad Kilgori, representing the Sultanate at the public hearing, said, “We at the Sultanate Council are ready to work and support the state government as well as operate with the law made by the state.
“Even before now, the council always consulted with the state government before making any appointment whatsoever.”
Recall that the Muslim Rights Council had last week warned the Sokoto State government against any attempt to dethrone the Sultan.
The warning was also echoed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who said, “The Sultan is the Sultan of Sokoto, but he is much more than that; he represents an idea, he is an institution that all of us in this country need to jealousy guard, protect, promote, preserve and project for the growth of our nation.”
The Sokoto State government, however, said it had no plan to dethrone Sultan, warning against the spread of false news.
At the public hearing of the bill on Tuesday, the state Commissioner of Justice, Nasir Muhammad Binji, explained that the former law, which was presented to the Assembly for amendment was inconsistent with Nigeria’s constitution.
Binji explained that in the amended law, the Sultanate Council will retain the power to recommend the village and district heads for appointment, subject to the governor’s approval.
Binji insisted that the proposed amended law was not political motivated or a means to strip the Sultanate Council of its power.
Other sections of the law to be amended, according to Binji, are sections to extend the tenure of elected local government chairmen from two years to three years.
He added that Section 76(h) of the law repealed a portion of the old law that said the governor has ‘absolute’ power to appoint the caretaker committee chairmen for local governments.
This, he said, was inconsistent with Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution.
He said, “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. 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, 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."
