JUST-IN: Our constitution does not permit Sultan to make appointments – Sokoto Gov’t

According to the Sokoto State government, the Sultan of Sokoto is constitutionally prohibited from appointing anyone.

Barrister Nasiru Binji, the Commissioner of Justice, stated at the public hearing on the Sokoto Local Government and Chieftaincy Law 2008 on Tuesday that the current Chieftaincy law in the state is in violation of the Nigerian constitution.

He said section 76(2) of the law is inconsistent with section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“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.

“So, there is no power given to the sultanate council to appoint. Section 76(2) of the Sokoto Local government and Chieftancy Law give the sultanate council the power to appoint district and village heads in the state but with the approval of the sitting Governor.

“So the section is inconsistent with the 1999 constitution as amended and therefore it cannot stand. Because the power to appoint is the executive power and who exercise the power, is it not the Governor? This is the reason for the amendment. To correct the mistake of the past,” he said.

On the bill to extend the local government chairmen tenure to three years, it is to enable them perform effectively.