The Sokoto state government says the Sultan lacks the constitutional power to appoint anyone.
Speaking during a public hearing on the Sokoto Local
Government and Chieftaincy Law 2008 organized by the state house of assembly on
Tuesday, Nasiru Binji, commissioner of justice in Sokoto, said the law that
empowers the Sultan to appoint anyone contravenes the 1999 constitution.
Binji said the executive bill sent to the house of assembly
seeks to correct the “mistake”.
“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 said.
“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 mistakes of the
past.”
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) had alleged that the
Sokoto government was plotting to dethrone Muhammad Abubakar as the Sultan of
Sokoto.
Thereafter, Vice-President Kashim Shettima said the sultan
represents an “idea” that must be jealously guarded and projected for the
growth of the country.
The Sokoto government has since said there is no attempt to
remove the sultan.
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