Sokoto residents express mixed feelings over investigation of traditional rulers

A cross-section of residents of Sokoto and its environs have expressed mixed feelings over the activities of the investigative panel constituted by the state government inviting traditional rulers across the state.

The panel headed by former Police Affairs Minister, Maigari Dingyadi, was specifically mandated to review the appointments of some traditional rulers and the renaming of some tertiary Institutions.

Members of the panel included Bature Shinkafi, Dr Kulu Abubakar, Isa Sadiq-Achida, Suleiman S/Fulani, and Dr Umar Yabo, as Secretary, among others.

It was gathered that no fewer than 20 high-ranking district heads and other categories of traditional rulers were so far invited by the committee and questioned over complaints that emanated from their subjects.

A letter signed by the Committee Secretary sighted by our correspondent indicated that monarchs were asked to testify on their alleged roles from the complaints as well as offer useful hints on some activities.

The letter showed that the panel was named ”Committee for the review of traditional rulers appointment, renaming of tertiary institutions, dissolution of governing boards of agencies and parastatals.”

Speaking on the situation which some people alleged targeted traditional rulers not supporting the ruling party in the last general elections, a resident, Malam Umar Alkammawa, expressed doubts over the credibility of the committee and described it as kangaroo having no legal backings.

Alkammawa alleged that all the panel members were politicians including the All Progressive Congress (APC) state Chairman, Sadiq-Achida, a situation which may suggest political undertones.

He advised the government to widely circulate the committee memberships, mandates and directions as well as allow the committee to accept public opinions as many interested persons may have input.

Another resident, Malam Ibrahim Mika’ilu, expressed dismay over the dimensions of the activities which have suggested molestations, stressing that traditional rulers were the fathers of all and deserved respect at all times.

Mika’ilu argued that a committee of such nature need to be chaired by a non-partisan politician adding that involving politicians to the level of state party chairman portrayed serious doubts and credibility of fairness.

Alhaji Shehu Abdullahi, a resident of Rijjyar Dorowa, observed that none of the Sultanate Council members is serving as a representative in the panel and urged the government to ensure fairness and transparency in public dealings.

Abdullahi explained that due to poor public awareness of the ongoing committee activities, some people considered it as scrutinizing monarchs who were sympathetic to immediate past administration in the state on the ground that many monarchs were not invited.

It was gathered that at present five Sultanate Council members from Binji, Yabo, Kilgori, Wamakko and Sabon Birni along with 15 District Heads appeared before the panel.

Some of the invited personalities that pleaded for anonymity, said the alleged complainers remained faceless while the activities questioned were the public trust entrusted to them by the immediate past administration in the state.

When contacted, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Bello Danchadi, reiterated that the committee was constituted on right direction in recognition of the calibre of personalities involved.

Danchadi advised people to wait until the outcome of the committee findings were made public before commenting, stressing that speculatives and rumours were all unfounded.