The Sokoto state government explained why the state assembly was making the law to strip the Sultan of the power to appoint anyone.
According to Daily Trust, Barrister 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.
Binji made this known while speaking at a public hearing on the Sokoto Local Government and Chieftaincy Law 2008 on Tuesday, July 2.
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.
Recall that the proposed amendment of Sokoto State Local Government Law 2008 had generated outrage in the state following the insinuation that the amendment is targeting the Sultan.
If amended, the power of appointing district and village heads would be vested only on the governor, while the Sultan’s power would be reduced to recommendation of persons to be appointed for the two positions.
However, while speaking at the opening of the public hearing on the amendment of the law, the council member of the Sultanate, Sa’in Kilgori, Dr. Muhammad Jabbi Kilgori, said the amendment would not strip the Sultan of his powers or functions, Vanguard reports.
He said contrary to speculations, there is no issue between the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and the governor, Ahmed Aliyu.
He said, “There is no issue between the Sultan and Governor Ahmed Aliyu at all. The Sultanate is ready to operate under any law elected through due process. We have operated under different laws in the past and we are ready to operate under the new law.
“The Sultanate has operated under the law proposed for amendment for the period of 16 years. The Sultanate is ready to work hand in hand with government.”
Kilgori, however said the Sultanate is aware of some enemies who are eager to create problem between the sultanate and the state government.