Despite Public Outcry, Sokoto Governor Signs Amended Law, Reduces Sultan’s Authority

The Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has signed the amended Sokoto Local Government and Chieftaincy Law, which effectively strips the Sultan, Sa’ad Abubakar, of the powers to appoint district and village heads in the state.

Dtruth Insights reports that the law was signed by Governor Aliyu on Thursday along with five others after they were passed by the State House of Assembly.

The Governor, however, denied insinuations that the local government and chieftaincy law was targeted at witch-hunting the Sultan, but rather to strengthen good governance in the state.

He said those spreading contrary opinions are politically motivated or simply ignorant.

“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,” Governor Aliyu stated.

While assuring the people of the state of the commitment of his administration to them, the Sokoto State Governor further advised Muslim clerics against allowing “lazy politicians” to use them in scoring their political goals.

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

Dtruth Insights reports that other laws signed by the Governor include Sokoto State Tenancy Law, Zakkat, and Waqf Law, among others.