Don’t toy with Sultanate Council, Shariah Centre cautions Sokoto govt

The Centre for the Promotion of Sharia has warned the Sokoto state government against toying with the Sultanate council.

It could be recalled that the state House of Assembly had passed a bill stripping the Sultan of Sokoto of powers to appoint district heads without the authorization of the state governor.

A statement signed by the centre chairman, Aliyu Ibrahim Altukri, said, “We are stakeholders in the Sultanate institution and we object to toying with it by any political office holder”.

The statement said the sultan is not an institution exclusive to the Sokoto State government, but a revered position in which all Nigerian Muslims have a stake.

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The centre said it joined MURIC, Vice President Kashim Shettima and Senator Shehu Sani who expressed similar views.

The statement, however, commended Sokoto State government for “clarifying that it has no intention to toe the line that is being speculated and affirming that it holds the Sultanate in a very high regard and esteem.”

The centre then warned  groups which called for the arrest of MURIC director to desist from misleading leaders from toeing the wrong path, reminding them that the work of civil society organisations is to protect the populace from exploitative tendencies.

The Sultan, the centre said, represents a belief system and heritage established by Sheikh Uthman Danfodio which must be protected and promoted.