Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has signed into the state’s Hisbah Commission Bill passed and submitted to him for assent by the State House of Assembly.
While signing the bill on Monday, tryGovernor Tambuwal explained that the new Hisbah Commission in the state should not be perceived as a legalistic gimmick intent on fostering anything other than the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on residents of the State.
Appealing to the people of the State and those outside not to misconstrue or misrepresent the law, the governor emphasized that there is no ulterior motive behind its enactment.
“Our own Hisbah in Sokoto State was midwifed, as at today, in full collaboration with all of the security agencies in the state.
And, they had representation in the committee that came up with this law. Our Hisbah law do not and is not in conflict with any provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is not a State Police. It is not Sharia Police. It is more of a Community Policing device, organ, agency; for want of a singular adjective to qualify it, that is coming on board to help the other Constitutionally recognized security outfits operating in the state in, first and foremost providing intelligence: collecting, collating and providing intelligence to the security services; complimenting the role, of also nipping in the bud and reporting to appropriate agencies any likelihood of the commission of a crime,” he said.
He added that: “we are not coming up with a Police that is here to discriminate against believers of another faith. No. We are coming up with an outfit that is to what the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria enshrined and provide for in terms of support to the agencies of security that are established by the Constitution.”
Noting that the law predates his administration but was moribund thus leading to the development of multiple claimants to its leadership, the governor said his administration through wide consultations reconciled the disputants and proceeded to “activate the existing law …” and will then constitute (its) leadership pursuant to the law for the Hisbah Commission.”
The Governor applauded the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sokoto State House of Assembly (SOHA), the state Executive Council and the broad spectrum of stakeholders who played great role in crafting the Bill.
Gov. Tambuwal said: the subsisting Hisbah Commission that came into effect in the State is “an outfit” that does not violate the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which enshrines and provide for it “in terms of support to the agencies of security that are established by the Constitution,” assuring that the Commission will be empanelled with “people of proven integrity and character…as prescribed by the law.”
Pointing out that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria allows people of the country to reside wherever they so chose, provided that they remain law abiding, he admonished “those who have chosen to live in other places other than their ancestral homes, to accept the norms and the traditions of their host communities; and to be law abiding.
“It is only when we are law abiding and we follow the rule of law that we can have a crime free society that will engender peace and peaceful coexistence that will bring about environment for development- personal, private or even government programme
“Our country is great, but that greatness can only be drived and showcased through our collective resolve to remain as one, law abiding and peaceful people that believe in our collective humanity; and our various abilities and endowments that can propel the development of this country.
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Appealing to those that are still feeling aggrieved about the recent mayhem in the country “to sheathe their swords and embrace peace,” by devoting their energy to tackling “other challenges of development that are militating against our realizing our full potentials.”
“There is hardly any state in Nigeria whose potential if harnessed cannot be fully independent in terms of revenues, human and capital resources to develop fully beyond what we are having today. But because we often face mundane and primordial issues; and tend to further escalate small issues to assume very large dimension and proportions, we have been having this drawbacks.
“It is time for us to pull together in this country, jump start it, kick start it ad see what God has given us. I bet you, there is hardly any country that has been so endowed in the world as Nigeria,” Tambuwal observed.
He added that in many of the countries of the world, Nigerians with “intellectual capacity” are celebrated as their “their best professionals,” while the country boasts about abundant mineral resources, vast agricultural potentials and many other things “of value to mankind.”
“So, what is it that we are lacking? Nothing. But with tolerance, understanding and leadership… So, I appeal that we must, as we normally provide leadership in our respective homes, see this country as ours take it as ours and work with the rest of our brothers and sisters from wherever they come from, whatever leanings are are, be it cultural, religious, traditional; and work together because God doesnt make mistake,” he further added.
He also stressed that: “I am not among those who believe that Nigeria is a mistake. Nigeria is not a mistake. Nigeria is God’s own wish for all of us to work with and make it work. It can work and we must all put our hands together in order to make this country move.”
