The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, is not backing down in its criticism of the Sokoto State House of Assembly as it allowed the Emirate Council Amendment Bill, which seeks to strip the Sultan of Sokoto of certain powers to advance beyond second reading.
A section of the bill requires the Sultan to obtain government approval before appointing kingmakers and district heads, a move which has triggered criticism from MURIC and other Muslim groups.
The state government has defended the move, saying it is aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in the administration of the emirate, MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, accused the government of attempting to weaken the Sultanate Council and undermine the traditional institution.
Warning that Governor Aliyu Ahmad could be corrupted by the powers granted him in the bill, Akintola asked the lawmakers to turn to the section of the state’s chieftaincy law which empowers the governor to remove the Sultan with a view to amending it in such a way that will exempt the Sultan from dethronement.
