Akintola had stressed that the Sultan’s role is not only traditional but also religious, extending beyond Sokoto to cover all Nigerian Muslims as their spiritual head.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Sokoto Emirate Council Amendment Bill, which is geared towards reducing the powers of the Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar III, has passed through first and second readings at the State House of Assembly.
If passed into law, the bill will ensure that the Sultan is no longer able to, inter alia, appoint kingmakers and district heads without government approval.
The Sultan is seen as leader of Muslims in Nigeria.
Just 24 hours earlier, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) drew attention to an alleged plan by Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu to depose the Sultan.
In a statement on Monday, MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Isiaq Akintola, expressed alarm over the potential move, which comes amid controversy and tension following the deposition of several monarchs in Kano State.
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He stressed that the Sultan’s role is not only traditional but also religious, extending beyond Sokoto to cover all Nigerian Muslims as their spiritual head.
Governor Aliyu had previously removed 15 traditional rulers for various offences.
However, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Peoples Democratic Party, on Monday, cautioned against any plot to remove the Sultan, saying he must be protected.
But the state government said such plan was not in the works.
