Emir of Zazzau backs 100% salary hike for Kaduna traditional rulers

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The Emir of Zazzau and Chairman, 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.

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Bamalli described the proposed increment as a “welcome relief” for the traditional institution, saying the current remuneration of traditional rulers was inadequate amid the rising cost of living and declining value of the naira.

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The Emir spoke on Friday while addressing journalists at his palace in Zaria, Kaduna State.

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He disclosed that the proposed salary increase had been in the pipeline for about seven months, adding that Governor Uba Sani and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Mamman-Lagos, had been working towards its implementation.

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Bamalli said following the government’s official announcement, he was optimistic that the new remuneration would soon become a reality.

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“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.

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The Emir commended Sani and Mamman-Lagos for what he described as their “care, love and commitment” to the traditional institution in the state.

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He said the cordial relationship between the government and traditional rulers had enabled both sides to regularly consult and collaborate on issues affecting the people.

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According to Bamalli, traditional rulers are not politicians but remain critical partners in governance, particularly in conflict resolution, grassroots mobilisation and peacebuilding.

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He disclosed that the Zazzau Emirate had resolved more than 2,000 civil cases through its alternative dispute resolution mechanism in the past two years.

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He said the initiative had helped reduce pressure on conventional courts, adding that the palace handled an average of five cases daily from Monday to Thursday.

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“Most of the cases are matrimonial disputes, inheritance, land matters and other civil disagreements. Criminal matters are referred to the conventional courts,” he said.

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Bamalli added that the alternative dispute resolution mechanism had received commendation from members of the judiciary.

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On the 2027 general elections, the Emir said the traditional institution would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to preserve peace and stability in the Zazzau Emirate.

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He attributed the relative peace in the emirate to what he described as an inclusive leadership approach that accommodated people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds.

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The monarch said the emirate had deliberately recognised major communities, including Igbo, Yoruba and Fulani communities, as well as Christian leaders, to ensure that the palace received first-hand information about developments across the emirate.

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He said, “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.”

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On insecurity, Bamalli said the emirate had remained largely peaceful, although Giwa Local Government Area continued to face security challenges because of its proximity to parts of Niger, Katsina and Zamfara states.

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He said the palace maintained regular communication with security agencies and submitted weekly intelligence reports to the state government.

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“Whenever there is urgent information, we escalate it immediately. The collaboration among the traditional institutions, the state government and security agencies has helped us to curtail threats and sustain peace,” he said.

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The Emir expressed confidence that with continued cooperation between the traditional institution, the state government and security agencies, the emirate would continue to contribute to peace, development and stability in Kaduna State.

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