According to Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Executive Director of MURIC, a bill aimed at stripping the Sultan of certain powers has passed through the first and second readings in the Sokoto State House of Assembly.
He said that the Sokoto Emirate Council Amendment Bill, if passed into law, would require the Sultan to seek government approval for appointing kingmakers and district heads.
According to the report by Daily Trust on Wednesday, MURIC condemned the amendment as an attempt to diminish the influence of the Sultan and weaken the traditional institution of Sokoto State.
Akintola accused Governor Ahmed Aliyu of exhibiting fascist and totalitarian tendencies, adding that the governor has removed 15 traditional rulers within his one year in office.
He questioned the rush to pass the bill, suggesting a hidden agenda, and called for transparency in the process.
He said, “The governor is barely one year in office and he has removed 15 traditional rulers. How many will he remove by the time he spends four years? That is reckless. It is acrobatic administration reform at breakneck speed. The governor needs to slow down.
“Were the offences of those 15 traditional rulers who were removed published? Were they given a chance to defend themselves? Were the reports of the investigations made public in order to conform with democratic norms and global best practices?”
However, the Sokoto State government has denied plans to depose the Sultan.
The organization urged the government to amend the chieftaincy law that empowers the governor to remove the Sultan instead.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
