The Sokoto Sultanate Council, Tuesday, July 2, said it remains steadfast in its responsibilities and duties, committed to abiding by all laws.
The sultanate therefore urges the public to disregard unfounded rumors circulating on conventional and social media.
The Council emphasized that it has no vested interest in who becomes a district or village head but is dedicated to working towards harmony and good governance in the state.
Addressing the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs on the proposed amendment bill to the State Assembly in Sokoto, the District Head of Kilgori, Dr. Muhammadu Jabbi Kilgori, “We are aware that appointments of District Heads and Village Heads were done by the government, not until 2007 when then Governor Aliyu Wamakko amended the law and gave the Sultan the power to do same which lasted for over 16 years.
“Therefore, we are willing to act in accordance with the wishes of the government and abide by the law by doing the right thing.”
Explaining the proposed Bill, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Nasiru Binji said it was aimed at ensuring the bill was comprehensively amended to take care of the 2014, 2016, and 2018 amended laws.
Binji explained that it was also to define the constitutional clarity as to the sources of power of appointment in a democratic setting while making reference to sect 76(2) which gave only the executive to make appointments.
“Only an executive institution non-executive can make appointments which the sultanate has no power but can only recommend to the governor for final approval on the position of District or Village head for appointment”, Binji said as he he cited sect 76(3) of the Constitution.
According to the Commissioner “By this provision, it is unconstitutional with the Sultanate”, he declared.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ibrahim Dadi Adare said the proposed amendment bill will further consolidate the LG law which has suffered in changes in a series of times.
He noted that laws were man-made and subject to amendment in relation to circumstances.
“In essence is to impact the lives of the people positively and encourage positive supervision”, he maintained while calling on the state assembly to support it.
