MURIC Condemns Sokoto Assembly’s Bill Seeking To Limit Sultan’s Powers

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged the Sokoto House of Assembly to stop a bill that seeks to amend parts of the state’s emirate council law.

On Tuesday, the Sokoto Emirate Council Amendment Bill passed its first and second readings in the assembly.

The bill has raised concerns about a potential conflict between the state government and the Sultanate Council.

If enacted, it would require Sultan Muhammad Abubakar to get state government approval before appointing district heads and kingmakers.

MURIC and other Muslim groups have criticized the bill, accusing the government of trying to weaken the Sultanate Council and undermine the traditional institution.

The state government, however, claimed the bill aims to promote transparency and accountability in the emirate’s administration.

In a statement on Wednesday, MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, called the bill “outrageous and anachronistic” and an attack on tradition.

MURIC accused Governor Ahmad Aliyu of trying to gain total control over the Sultanate Council, pointing out that he removed 15 traditional rulers in one day.

They appealed to the Sokoto lawmakers to stop the bill, suggesting instead that they amend the state’s chieftaincy law to protect the Sultan from being removed.

The Islamic group emphasized the importance of a stable Sultanate Council for the unity of the Ummah.

“It is a direct attack on the traditional institution of Sokoto state. Instead of entrenching the powers of the Sultan, it is an undisguised attempt at weakening his powers and making him less relevant in the scheme of traditional settings,” the statement reads.

“In short, the governor is preparing the ground for dismantling the Sultanate Council and setting up his own personal Sultanate Council, a council that will be totally controlled from government house.

“That is the only logical explanation for his removal of 15 traditional rulers in a single day. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged the Sokoto house of assembly to stop the amendment bill seeking to amend some sections of the state emirate council law.

“Nigerian Muslims are already asking, ‘Why the rush?’ Why are they rushing the bill if there is no hidden agenda? The whole exercise is suggestive of political motivation. The governor is barely one year in office, and he has removed 15 traditional rulers.

“How many will he remove by the time he spends four years? That is reckless. It is acrobatic administrative reform at breakneck speed. The governor needs to slow down.

“MURIC calls the attention of Sokoto lawmakers to this disturbing development. What the good people of Sokoto State need now is a stable Sultanate Council. That is our pride.

“We appeal to lawmakers in the Sokoto state house of assembly to halt the progress of the current bill.

“Instead, they should turn to the section of the state’s chieftaincy law that empowers the governor to remove the Sultan and amend it in such a way that will exempt the Sultan from dethronement.

“This is necessary in the interest of the unity of the Ummah.”

This comes weeks after Kano State Government deposed Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, and reinstated Lamido Sanusi as the Emir.