Senator Shehu Sani says traditional rulers in Nigeria should not be tied to the apron strings of state governors.
He stated this on Thursday via a tweet in apparent reaction to the dethronement of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano.
The vocal Emir was deposed on Monday by the Kano State Government under Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
Some of the reasons adduced for his removal include disrespecting the state governor, refusal to attend official meetings and breach of Kano Emirate Law.
The controversial ex-Emir was subsequently banished to Nasarawa State and Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero was appointed in his stead.
The Herald recalls that Alhaji Mustapha Jokolo was dethroned as Emir of Gwandu in 2005 after falling out with then Governor of Kebbi State, Adamu Aliero.
The Kebbi State High Court and the Sokoto Division of the Court of Appeal have since ordered his reinstatement. The matter is presently at the Supreme Court.
But in his reaction, Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, said that constitutional recognition must be accorded traditional rulers to stop them from being at the mercy of abusive state governors.
He added that aside constitutional recognition, the roles of traditional rulers must also be defined.
“In the absence of any constitutional recognition & defined responsibilities & in the absence of protective laws at state levels, Traditional rulers in Nigeria survive by their silence, subservience & conformity to the interest of their state Governors. And that is subject to abuses,” Sani said.
See tweet:
In the absence of any constitutional recognition & defined responsibilities & in the absence of protective laws at state levels,Traditional rulers in Nigeria survives by their silence,subservience & conformity to d interest of their state Governors.And that is subject to abuses.
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) March 12, 2020
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