The Sokoto State government has denied allegations of a plan to depose the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III. However, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) maintains that the Sultan is still being targeted.
In a statement on Wednesday, MURIC’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, claimed that the Sokoto Emirate Council Amendment Bill, currently progressing through the legislative process, would strip the Sultan of significant powers if passed into law. Akintola argued that this bill, which has already passed the first and second readings, is an attempt to diminish the influence of the Sultan.
Akintola condemned the amendment as an attack on the traditional institution of Sokoto State. He called for an amendment to the chieftaincy law that would remove the governor’s power to depose the Sultan instead.
“There are reports that the Sokoto State House of Assembly is currently rushing through a bill called the Emirate Council Amendment Bill. The bill has passed through the first and second readings within a very short period,” Akintola said.
He further alleged that Governor Ahmed Aliyu is attempting to dismantle the Sultanate Council and replace it with a council under his control, citing the removal of 15 traditional rulers in a single day as evidence of this plan.
Akintola criticized the governor’s actions, describing them as indicative of fascism and totalitarianism, and questioned the speed at which the bill is being processed. He urged Sokoto lawmakers to address these concerns to ensure stability in the Sultanate Council.
