Sultan Has No Constitutional Power To Appoint Anyone— Sokoto Govt

Sokoto state government has stated that Sultan lacks the constitutional power to appoint anyone.

Gatekeepers News reports that commissioner of justice in Sokoto, Nasiru Binji said this during a public hearing on the Sokoto Local Government and Chieftaincy Law 2008 organized by the State House of assembly on Tuesday.

Binji noted that the law that empowers Sultan to appoint anyone contravenes 1999 constitution.

Binji added that the executive bill sent to the House of Assembly aims to correct the ‘mistake’.

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 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.”

Recall that Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) had some weeks ago alleged that the Sokoto government was plotting to dethrone Muhammad Abubakar as the Sultan of Sokoto.

Subsequently, Vice-President, Kashim Shettima stated that sultan represents an idea that must be guarded and projected for the growth of the country.

Sokoto government however debunked the allegation, saying there is no attempt to remove the sultan.