The sokoto state high court issued an injunction on wednesday, preventing governor ahmed aliyu from proceeding with the dethronement of two traditional rulers. This decision concerns the controversial removal of alhaji buhari dahiru tambuwal and alhaji abubakar kassim, the district heads of tambuwal and kebbe, respectively.
Justice kabiru ibrahim ahmed directed the governor, the attorney general, and the sokoto sultanate council to maintain the status quo until the lawsuit filed by the two district heads is resolved. Represented by prof. Ibrahim abdullahi san, the complainants challenged their dismissal, which the government justified on grounds of insubordination and alleged support of insecurity.
This legal battle arises amid governor aliyu’s efforts to amend the state local government law, aiming to centralize the power to appoint and dethrone traditional rulers exclusively to his office. The proposed changes have sparked significant backlash from political figures and advocacy groups.
National figures, including vice president kashim shettima and former vice president atiku abubakar, have weighed in, stressing the need to protect the integrity and autonomy of traditional institutions from gubernatorial overreach. The muslim rights concern (muric) also warned against moves to undermine the sultan of sokoto, viewing the proposed legal changes as an attempt to diminish his influence.
Despite the controversy, the sokoto state legislature has progressed the contentious bill to its second reading, referring it to a house committee for further deliberation. A public hearing is scheduled for next tuesday, expected to attract significant public and media attention.
