In a significant move, Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has dethroned 15 district heads over various allegations, including insubordination, involvement in land racketeering, aiding insecurity, and the conversion of public properties.
The announcement came through a statement issued by the governor’s press secretary, Abubakar Bawa, on Tuesday evening.
Among the affected district heads are Unguwar Lalle, Yabo, Wamakko, Tulluwa, lllela, Dogon Daji, Kebbe, Alkammu, and Giyawa. Notably, some of these district heads were appointed during the tenure of former Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
According to the statement, the removal was attributed to the haphazard nature of their appointments and rejection by their subjects.
The statement listed the removed district heads as Marafan Tangaza, Sarkin Gabas Kalambaina, Bunun Gongono, Sarkin Kudun Yar Tsakkuwa, Sarkin Tambuwal, and Sarkin Yamman Torankavwa.
Additionally, cases involving district heads of Isa, Kuchi, Kilgori, and Gagi have been recommended for further investigations.
In a related development, Sarkin Yakin Binji, a senior counselor in the Sultanate Council, has been transferred to Bunkari, while the district head of Sabon Birni has been redeployed to Gatawa.
Bawa also noted that seven other district heads have been retained by the government, including Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar III Churoman Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Maccido Barayar Zaki, Abubakar Salame Sarkin Arewan Salame, and Aminu Bello Sarkin Yamman Balle, among others.
The district heads of Tsaki and Asare were also retained, while Abdulkadir Mujeli, who was appointed as Magajin Garin Sokoto, was asked to return to his former position as Sarkin Rafin Gumbi district.
These decisions, as per the statement, were based on the recommendations of the committee on the review of appointments of traditional rulers, renaming of tertiary institutions, and the dissolution of governing councils of state parastatals.