The Sokoto State Government has approved the amendment of section 76 of the local government and chieftaincy law to align with prevailing practices in the state.
Currently, the Sultanate Council holds the authority to appoint district and village heads, though in practice, it only provides recommendations, with the state governor making the final appointments. Nasir Binji, the state’s attorney-general and commissioner for justice, clarified that the proposed amendment aims to synchronize the legal framework with customary procedures in Sokoto State.
Addressing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting, Binji explained that under the proposed amendment, the Sultanate Council would continue to recommend candidates, but the governor would have the final authority to appoint them. This move follows the recent dismissal of certain traditional rulers in the state due to their alleged involvement in land-related issues and security concerns.
Additionally, the state government has endorsed an amendment to the Sokoto Local Government Law 2008, extending the tenure of elected chairmen from two years to three years. This decision reverses the tenure reduction implemented during the Aminu Waziri Tambuwal administration.