Fresh controversy as Sokoto govt says Sultan has no power to appoint district, village heads

The last has not been heard of the power tussle between Governor Ahmed Aliyu, and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, as the state government on Tuesday declared that constitutionally, the monarch has no power to appoint anyone.

The government maintained that the existing Chieftaincy law in the state contravenes the constitution of Nigeria.
Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Nasiru Binji, disclosed this on Tuesday at the public hearing on the Sokoto Local Government and Chieftaincy Law 2008.

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According to him, Section 76(2) of the law is inconsistent with Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Recall that Governor Aliyu had earlier deposed 15 traditional rulers for various offences.

Binji 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.

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“So, there is no power given to the sultanate council to appoint. Section 76(2) of the Sokoto Local government and Chieftaincy Law give 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,” he said.