By Ahmed Saka
A former Bauchi State governorship candidate under the African Liberation Party (ALP), Alhaji Umar Musa Gwaskwaram, has appealed to Governor Bala Mohammed and the Bauchi State House of Assembly to create additional emirates and districts across the state in the interest of justice, fairness, and grassroots development.
Gwaskwaram made the call on Tuesday while briefing journalists in Bauchi. He commended the governor’s recent efforts at strengthening traditional institutions through the creation of new emirates and districts, but noted that some areas were still shortchanged and deserved further consideration.
According to him, there is a strong need to establish three additional emirates from the present Katagum Emirate, namely: Zaki and Sakwa Emirate, Itas and Gadau Emirate, and Shira and Disina Emirate. He explained that several ancient kingdoms in Bauchi State—including Tashena, Shira, and Mashema—emerged between 1,000 and 1,400 AD and are located within these areas, underscoring their historical significance.
He also drew attention to perceived marginalisation within the Bauchi Emirate, particularly in Munmunsal and Gwaskwaram areas, which he said have suffered neglect since the colonial era. According to him, the absence of adequate governance structures in these communities has hindered development, stressing the need for the creation of more districts, wards, and village heads to promote effective grassroots administration.
Gwaskwaram praised Governor Bala Mohammed for the recent creation of 14 emirates and 144 additional district heads, describing the move as a major step toward bringing governance closer to the people. However, he observed that out of the 14 new emirates, eight were carved from Bauchi Emirate—Bununu, Lere, Darazo, Duguri, Toro, Lame, Jama’a, and Sayawa Chiefdom—while three came from Ningi Emirate—Burra, Ari, and Warji. Only two, he noted, were created from Katagum Emirate, despite its size and seven local government areas.
He argued that for the sake of equity and balance, the government should revisit the issue and consider additional emirates in Katagum Emirate. Gwaskwaram, who once served as Special Adviser to former Governor Isa Yuguda on Giade Local Government Area, further appealed to the governor to expand the creation of emirate councils statewide to accelerate socio-economic development and improve access to traditional leadership.
Expressing optimism, he said he believed the governor and the state legislature would heed the call of the people and act in the overall interest of fairness and development. He urged the government not to be deterred by opposition from what he described as “self-centred interests,” stressing that governance decisions should prioritise the welfare of the majority.
Gwaskwaram maintained that the Katagum Emirate is vast and difficult for the emir to effectively administer, making the creation of the proposed three new emirates necessary to enhance effective grassroots governance. He cited historical precedents, noting that the balkanisation of the Sokoto Caliphate, as well as the creation of states and local governments, were all carried out in the interest of development.
He outlined the expected benefits of the proposed reforms to include accelerated socio-economic development, wider distribution of democratic dividends, equitable sharing of political opportunities based on balanced representation, and healthy competition in the implementation of government policies and programmes.
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