Sokoto gov signs law stripping Sultan power to appoint district, village heads

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has assented to six new laws, including the amended Sokoto Local Government and Chieftaincy Law, which generated controversy across the country.

The new law stripped the Sultan of the power to appoint district and village heads in the state.

Speaking during the ceremony held on Thursday, Aliyu noted that the new laws were not meant to witch hunt any individual or group but to strengthen good governance in the state

The governnkr said, “We note with concern the unnecessary tension created by our proposal to amend some of these laws.

“Some of the reactions were politically motivated while others were done ignorantly without care to inquire from the right quarters on the details and intention of the amendment.

“It is a known fact that in every society, laws are enacted and amended to suit the needs of time and interest of the governed in line with circumstances at hand. Previous administrations had amended one law or the other in the state with a view to giving the state laws the needed touch that would fast track peace and development.

“Let me make it clear that the just amended laws are not meant to winch-hunt any individual or group but rather to promote good governance and to remove the ambiguity and inconsistency with the nation’s constitution.”

The governor further advised Muslim clerics against allowing “lazy politicians” to use them in scoring their political goals.

He, however, assured all that his administration would continue to listen to the yearnings and aspirations of its citizens.

“Whenever we come across any law that does not suit the interests of our people, we will not hesitate to replace it,” he added

The other laws include Sokoto State Tenancy Law, Zakkat, and Waqf Law, among others.