The Sokoto State House of Assembly has taken a significant step towards limiting the powers of the Sultan of Sokoto by passing the Sokoto Emirate Council Amendment Bill through its first and second readings. The bill, which aims to amend the Emirate Council Law, seeks to strip the Sultan of his powers to unilaterally appoint kingmakers and district heads.
If passed into law, the bill will require the Sultan to obtain approval from the state government before making such appointments. This move is likely to be seen as a significant curb on the powers of the Sultanate Council, which has long been a powerful institution in the state.
The passage of the bill has sparked concerns about a potential showdown between the state government and the Sultanate Council, with some observers warning of a possible constitutional crisis. However, supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to bring the Emirate Council into line with modern democratic principles and to ensure greater accountability and transparency in the appointment of traditional leaders.
