The Sokoto State Government has argued that the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, lacks the constitutional power to appoint district and village heads in the state.
Muhammad Nasiru Binji, Sokoto State Attorney General, stated this at a public hearing at the State House of Assembly on Tuesday.
The public hearing was convened over a bill for a law to further amend the Sokoto State Local Government and Chieftaincy Law 2008.
Binji explained that the law which gives the Sultan the power to appoint anyone contravenes the 1999 constitution, adding that the executive bill sent to the Assembly is seeking to correct the anomaly.
“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 stated that, “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.
