The Emir of Zazzau and Chairman of the Kaduna State Council of Chiefs, Ambassador Ahmed Bamalli, has backed the proposed 100 per cent increase in the salaries and allowances of traditional rulers in the state, describing it as a relief amid rising living costs.
Bamalli spoke on Friday while addressing journalists at his palace in Zaria, Kaduna State. He said the proposed increase had been under consideration for about seven months, with Governor Uba Sani and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Mamman-Lagos, working towards its implementation.
“The proposed increase is a welcome relief for the traditional institution. The value of money has gone down significantly and what traditional rulers currently receive is not enough when compared with what obtains in some other emirates,” he said.
The emir commended the governor and the commissioner for their support, saying the cordial relationship between the government and traditional rulers had encouraged regular consultation and cooperation on issues affecting communities.
Bamalli said traditional rulers were not politicians but remained important partners in governance, particularly in conflict resolution, grassroots mobilisation and peacebuilding. He disclosed that the Zazzau Emirate had resolved more than 2,000 civil cases through its alternative dispute resolution mechanism over the past two years.
According to him, the palace handles an average of five cases daily from Monday to Thursday, mostly involving matrimonial disputes, inheritance, land matters and other civil disagreements. Criminal cases, he said, were referred to conventional courts. The initiative had also received commendation from members of the judiciary.
On the 2027 general elections, Bamalli said the traditional institution would continue working with stakeholders to maintain peace and stability across the emirate.
He attributed the relative peace in Zazzau to an inclusive leadership approach that recognises communities from different ethnic and religious backgrounds. He said the emirate had recognised major communities, including Igbo, Yoruba and Fulani groups, as well as Christian leaders, to strengthen communication and build trust.
On insecurity, Bamalli said the emirate remained largely peaceful, although Giwa Local Government Area continued to face security challenges because of its proximity to Niger, Katsina and Zamfara states.
He said the palace maintained regular communication with security agencies and submitted weekly intelligence reports to the state government. “Whenever there is urgent information, we escalate it immediately,” he said, adding that cooperation among traditional institutions, government and security agencies had helped contain threats and sustain peace.
Bamalli expressed confidence that continued collaboration among the traditional institution, government and security agencies would enable the Zazzau Emirate to contribute further to peace, development and stability in Kaduna State.
