Sokoto State governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has given assent to the Sokoto Local Government and Chieftaincy Law, which stripped His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, the power to appoint District and Village Heads in the State.
Recall that the law had generated controversy across the country as many were opposed to it.
Speaking on Thursday after signing six Executive Bills recently passed by the State’s House of Assembly, Aliyu explained that the amendments were aimed at removing ambiguities and inconsistencies with the nations Constitution.
He said the amended laws in the state were not intended to target any individual or group, but rather to promote good governance.
The amended Bills included those on the Arabic and Islamic Board, Rural Roads and Land Tenancy.
Others were those of Zakkat and Endowment Agency, Prohibition of Discrimination against Persons with Disability, and the Local Government Consolidated Law 2009.
The Governor said that Sokoto, like other States, has amended various laws under previous administrations to foster peace and development.
He expressed concern over the tension created by the proposed amendments, saying: Some reactions were politically motivated, while others were made ignorantly without proper inquiry into the details and intentions of the amendments. I appreciate our Ulama for their concern, but remind them that they represent Allahs Messenger. They should not allow lazy politicians to use them for political gains.
The Governor emphasised that signing the amended laws demonstrates his administrations respect for the rule of law.
Aliyu had assured the citizens that his administration would continue to listen to their aspirations and ensure that any laws made or amended align with the nations Constitution. Whenever we encounter any law that does not serve the interests of our people, we will replace it with one that protects their interests, he stated.
The Governor expressed gratitude to the members of the state House of Assembly for their maturity and patriotism in handling the amendments.
He reiterated his administrations commitment to collaborating with traditional rulers and the Sultanate Council for the good of the state and the nation.
Among the other laws signed were the ‘Sokoto State Tenancy Law’; Zakkat and Waqf Law, and a law prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities.
Recall that at the heat of the argument over the decision of the Sokoto Assembly to amend the laws relating to the powers of the Sultan, Vice-President Kashim Shettima told the Sokoto State government that His Eminence must be guarded jealously.
Aliyu, who stated this at the North-West Peace and Security Summit, in Katsina, said: Our father, who is a permanent picture in all developmental issues in this country, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, I want to use him as my point of reference to recognise and appreciate all our royal fathers present here.
And to the Deputy Governor of Sokoto, I have a simple message for you. Yes, the Sultan is the Sultan of Sokoto, but he is much more than that; he represents an idea. He is an institution that all of us in this country need to jealously guard, protect, promote, preserve and project for the good of our nation.
Shettima spoke after the Executive Director of Muslim Rights Council (MURIC), Prof. Is’haq Akintola, raised the alarm that the Sokoto State government is allegedly plotting to depose the Sultan.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu had earlier deposed 15 traditional rulers for various offences.
