The Sokoto state government explained why the state assembly was making the law to strip the Sultan of the power to appoint anyone.
Barrister Nasiru Binji, the state commissioner for justice, said there is no constitutional provision for the Sultan of Sokoto to make appointments, adding that the existing chieftaincy law in the state contravened the constitution of Nigeria.
Daily Trust reported that Binji made this known while speaking at a public hearing on the Sokoto Local Government and Chieftaincy Law 2008 on Tuesday, July 2.
Sokoto law that contravenes Nigeria constitution
The commissioner maintained that section 76(2) of the state law contradicted section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
His statement reads in part:
“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.”
He stressed that the above indicated that the Nigeria constitution did not empower the Sultan to appoint, but 76(2) of the Sokoto and local government and chieftaincy law gave the power to appoint district and village heads in the state to the Sultanate council.
