Sokoto: Sultan has no constitutional power to appoint anyone

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.