Emir of Zazzau backs 100% salary increase for Kaduna monarchs

The Emir of Zazzau and Chairman of the Kaduna State Council of Chiefs, Ahmed Bamalli, has thrown his weight behind the proposed 100 per cent increase in the salaries and allowances of traditional rulers in the state.

Bamalli described the proposed adjustment as a relief for the traditional institution, saying the value of the naira and rising cost of living had made the current remuneration of monarchs inadequate.

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

He said discussions on the proposed increase had been ongoing for about seven months, noting that Governor Uba Sani and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Mamman-Lagos, had been working towards its implementation.

Bamalli expressed optimism that the new remuneration would soon be implemented following the government’s announcement.

“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 monarch commended Sani and Mamman-Lagos for their support and commitment to the traditional institution, saying the cordial relationship between the government and traditional rulers had encouraged regular consultations on issues affecting residents.

He maintained that although traditional rulers were not politicians, they remained important partners in governance, particularly in resolving disputes, mobilising communities and promoting peace.

Bamalli disclosed that the Zazzau Emirate had resolved more than 2,000 civil disputes through its alternative dispute resolution mechanism in the last two years.

According to him, the initiative had helped reduce the burden on conventional courts, with the palace handling an average of five cases daily from Monday to Thursday.

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

He added that members of the judiciary had commended the emirate’s alternative dispute resolution system.

On the 2027 elections, Bamalli said the traditional institution would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to maintain peace and stability across the Zazzau Emirate.

He attributed the relative peace in the emirate to an inclusive leadership structure that recognised the interests of different ethnic and religious groups.

The Emir said the palace had formally recognised major communities, including Igbo, Yoruba and Fulani groups, as well as Christian leaders, to enable it to receive information directly from communities across the emirate.

“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,” he said.

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

He said the palace maintained regular communication with security agencies and forwarded weekly intelligence reports to the Kaduna State Government.

“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.

Bamalli expressed confidence that sustained collaboration among traditional rulers, the state government and security agencies would enable the emirate to continue contributing to peace, development and stability in Kaduna State.