The Sokoto State Higher Court, on Wednesday, issued an order preventing Governor Ahmed Aliyu from dismissing two traditional rulers out of the 15 already removed by his administration.
This decision follows controversies surrounding the dethronement of these monarchs.
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Alhaji Buhari Dahiru Tambuwal and Alhaji Abubakar Kassim, the District Heads of Tambuwal and Kebbe respectively, sought the court’s intervention.
They were among the traditional rulers ousted by the Sokoto State government on allegations of insubordination and contributing to insecurity in the state.
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Presiding over the case, Justice Kabiru Ibrahim Ahmed ordered Governor Aliyu, the Attorney General, and the Sokoto Sultanate Council to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of the suit filed by the complainants, represented by Prof. Ibrahim Abdullahi SAN.
Justice Ahmed’s orders directed the defendants and their representatives to cease any actions related to the removal or dethronement of the District Heads of Kebbe and Tambuwal until the motion for an interlocutory injunction is heard and decided.
This legal battle arises as Governor Aliyu presented a bill to the state House of Assembly seeking amendments to the Local Government Law.
The proposed changes would grant him exclusive authority to appoint and remove district and village heads, effectively centralizing power over traditional institutions.
The removal of the 15 district heads and the proposed legislative changes have sparked intense debate and reactions within Sokoto State and beyond.
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Vice President, Kashim Shettima recently urged the state government to respect and protect the Sultanate as a vital institution.
Former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar also emphasized the need to safeguard traditional institutions from gubernatorial overreach.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has issued statements urging Governor Aliyu to abandon any plans to undermine the Sultan of Sokoto or diminish his authority, accusing the Governor of attempting to create a parallel Sultanate Council through the new law.
The Sokoto State Legislature advanced the bill to its second reading last Wednesday and referred it to a House Committee for further consideration.
