The proposed doubling of salaries and allowances for traditional rulers in Kaduna State has been in preparation for about seven months, the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Bamalli, has disclosed.
Bamalli, who chairs the Kaduna State Council of Chiefs, said Governor Uba Sani and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Mamman-Lagos, had been working towards the proposed review.
The Emir gave the information on Friday at his palace in Zaria, Kaduna State, saying he expected the new remuneration to become a reality after the government makes its official announcement.
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The proposal would give traditional rulers a 100 per cent increase in their salaries and allowances.
The review is necessary because the money currently paid to traditional rulers has lost much of its value.
“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’s support for the proposal also comes with an account of services provided by his palace, including the settlement of civil disputes outside the conventional court system.
Zazzau palace handles thousands of disputes
Bamalli said the Zazzau Emirate had settled more than 2,000 civil cases through its alternative dispute resolution system in the past two years.
The palace deals with an average of five cases every day from Monday to Thursday, he said.
The cases include matrimonial disputes, inheritance issues, land matters and other civil disagreements.
Criminal cases, however, are sent to conventional courts.
“Most of the cases are matrimonial disputes, inheritance, land matters and other civil disagreements. Criminal matters are referred to the conventional courts,” he said.
Bamalli said the arrangement had helped reduce the pressure on conventional courts. He also said members of the judiciary had commended the system.
He praised Sani and Mamman-Lagos for their “care, love and commitment” to the traditional institution.
The Emir said the relationship between the state government and traditional rulers had created room for regular consultation on issues affecting the people.
He maintained that traditional rulers were not politicians but had responsibilities in conflict resolution, grassroots mobilisation and peacebuilding.
Emir outlines approach to peace and security
Bamalli said the Zazzau Emirate had taken steps to ensure that people from different ethnic and religious groups were represented in its traditional structure.
The palace recognises major communities, including Igbo, Yoruba and Fulani communities, as well as Christian leaders.
He said this gives the emirate direct information from different communities and helps build trust.
“We have tried to ensure that everybody feels that they belong. We have recognised the major communities and Christian leaders so that we can get information directly from the people. This has helped us to build trust and confidence.”
Bamalli said the traditional institution would continue working with relevant stakeholders to preserve peace during the 2027 general elections.
He said the Zazzau Emirate had remained largely peaceful, although Giwa Local Government Area still faced security challenges because of its proximity to parts of Niger, Katsina and Zamfara states.
The palace, he said, communicates regularly with security agencies and sends weekly intelligence reports to the Kaduna State Government.
Bamalli said continued cooperation between traditional rulers, the Kaduna Government and security agencies would enable the Zazzau Emirate to contribute to peace, development and stability in the state.
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