The Sokoto State House of Assembly has ignited a potential tinderbox by passing a bill through its first and second readings that proposes a substantial overhaul of the Sokoto Emirate Council law. This amendment, if enacted, could dramatically reshape the balance of power between the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the state government.
Sultan’s Authority Curtailed:
The heart of the controversy centres on the proposed restrictions on the Sultan’s traditional powers. The bill seeks to clip the Sultan’s wings by removing his authority to:
- Appoint kingmakers: These kingmakers are kingpins in the selection process for future Sultans. Traditionally, kingmakers are chosen based on lineage and qualifications, ensuring a measure of continuity and adherence to custom. By wresting control over their appointment, the state government would gain significant influence in future Sultan selections.
- Appoint district heads: These heads serve as the linchpins of local governance within the Emirate. They are responsible for maintaining order, resolving disputes, and representing the interests of their communities. The Sultan’s ability to appoint district heads based on local knowledge and trust is a cornerstone of the Emirate’s traditional administration. By stripping the Sultan of this power, the amendment would centralize control and potentially weaken the responsiveness of local governance.
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Kano Depositions Cast a Long Shadow:
This legislative manoeuvre comes at a time of heightened anxieties surrounding traditional leadership in Northern Nigeria. Just a day before the passage of the Sokoto bill, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) raised the alarm over whispers of a plot by Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, to dethrone the Sultan.
MURIC’s concerns have a basis in Governor Aliyu’s recent dismissal of 15 traditional rulers in Kano State, further stoking anxieties about potential dethronements. The Sultan of Sokoto occupies a unique space as both the spiritual leader for Nigerian Muslims and the traditional ruler of the Sokoto Emirate. Any move perceived as undermining his authority has the potential to reverberate far beyond the borders of Sokoto.
Denials Amidst Calls for Caution:
Both Governor Aliyu and the Sokoto State government have emphatically denied any intention to remove the Sultan. State Commissioner for Information, Sambo Danchadi, dismissed the accusations as unfounded and stressed that the existing laws governing traditional ruler appointments remain unchanged.
However, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have issued strong warnings, urging caution and highlighting the potential for instability if the proposed amendments are seen as a direct assault on the Sultan’s position.
