The Sokoto state government has clarified that the Sultan does not have the constitutional power to appoint anyone.
The clarification came during a public hearing on the Sokoto Local Government and Chieftaincy Law 2008 organized by the state house of assembly on Tuesday,.
Mr Nasiru Binji, the commissioner of justice in Sokoto, who made this known, said the law that empowers the Sultan to appoint anyone runs contrary to the provisions of the 1999 constitution.
Binji said the executive bill sent to the house of assembly seeks to rectify 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.”
Not surprisingly, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) alleged that the Sokoto government was plotting to remove Muhammad Abubakar from the throne as the Sultan of Sokoto.
But reacting to it, 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 debunked it, saying there are no such plans to sack the sultan.
