Sokoto State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Nasiru Mohammed Binji has said that no traditional institution has the constitutional power to appoint or deposed any traditional ruler.
Binji made the remarks at a public hearing on bill to amend Sokoto State Local Government law of 2009, held at Mini Chamber of the State House of Assembly .
He said according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic, the power to appoint or dethrone any traditional ruler be it District or Village head lies on the powers of the executive directly or indirectly.
"The only person who exercise the executive powers of a state is the executive Governor, "the power to appoint or dethrone any District or Village head is the prerogative powers of the executive as clearly spelt in section 5 sub section 2 of the constitution.
" Section 17 sub section 1 of the Nigerian constitution provides advisory role only to traditional institutions , that's to advise states and local Governments on cultural and chieftaincy matters in their respective states"
" Sokoto state Government is trying to set records straight based on the constitutional provisions and avoid aged long tradition whereby Sultan Appoints and dethrone traditional rulers in the state, as it's becoming much inconsistent with the provisions of the Nigerian constitution." Binji stated.
" If amended the new law will pave way for effective monitoring and supervision of activities of District and village heads in the state " says Binji.
In his submission, Dr Balarabe Shehu Kakale a former member of the National Assembly, acting on behalf of Sokoto Indigenous Association urged members of the state legislative house to quashed the bill, saying that it's political and lacks support of majority of the state Indigenes.
He said his association will not support any attempt to suppress the powers of the sultanate .
Hon Kakale however advised the legislature on how to enact a separate law for the already established Sultanate Council.
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