By Beatrice Gondyi
The Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has signed into law two landmark bills — the Bauchi State Emirates and Chieftaincies (Appointment and Deposition) Law, 2025, and the Zaar Chiefdom Law, 2025.
The signing ceremony, held at the Government House, Bauchi, marks a defining moment in the state’s governance history as it formally creates 14 new Emirates and Chiefdoms, including the much-anticipated Zaar Chiefdom with headquarters at Mhrim.
“This is not an act of politics but of policy, not a reward for loyalty, but a recognition of merit and necessity. We are strengthening traditional governance to promote inclusion, peace, and sustainable growth,” the governor stated.
He emphasized that the Bauchi of 2025 is vastly different from that of 1976, adding that the evolving population and governance demands require reforms that renew tradition while ensuring relevance to modern realities.
The process, the governor explained, began after numerous appeals from communities across the twenty local government areas. In response, the state government set up a High-Powered Committee chaired by Hamza Koshe Akuyam on July 17, 2025, to review all requests and make recommendations based on fairness, historical facts, and community consensus.
The committee received hundreds of memoranda, conducted public hearings, and consulted with experts and traditional leaders. Its recommendations were later forwarded to the Bauchi State House of Assembly, which subjected the bills to extensive deliberation and public scrutiny before unanimously passing them into law.
Governor Mohammed commended the legislature for its patriotism and partnership, describing the collaboration between the executive and legislative arms as a model of democratic governance.
The newly created traditional councils are located in Burra, Dambam, Darazo, Duguri, Gamawa, Giade, Toro, Warji, Ari, Jama’a, Lame, Bununu, Lere, and the Zaar Chiefdom.
Each council, he said, would serve as a centre for grassroots governance, conflict resolution, and socio-economic advancement in line with the SDGs’ principle of leaving no one behind.
The reform, according to the governor, is also expected to boost local revenue generation, enhance data collection, and improve access to developmental interventions from both national and international partners.
Governor Mohammed issued a strong warning against any attempt to undermine or politicize the implementation of the new laws, stressing that peace and order must prevail.
“Any person or group found spreading misinformation or attempting to disrupt public peace will face the full consequences of the law. Leadership is a trust from Almighty Allah, and we will all account for how we use it,” he cautioned.
In addition to the chieftaincy laws, the governor also assented to two other significant bills, the Bauchi State Supplementary Appropriation Law, 2025 and the Bauchi State Local Government Contributory Pension Scheme Law, 2025 — aimed at improving fiscal responsibility and social welfare administration.
He expressed appreciation to the State Executive Council, the Akuyam Committee, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders for their support and cooperation throughout the process.
As Bauchi State prepares to mark its 50th anniversary in 2026, Governor Mohammed described the reforms as a gift to posterity, a foundation for inclusion, and a framework for sustainable governance that aligns with the state’s long-term development plan and the global SDG agenda.
“We have proven that reform can be done with consultation, consensus, and compassion. We did not divide our people; we brought them closer. We did not impose change; we guided it,” he said.
The signing of the two laws marks a new dawn for traditional governance in Bauchi State, a people-driven reform that blends cultural heritage with modern governance, fostering peace, inclusion, and progress in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
.jpeg)
0 Comments