By Rauf Oyewole, Bauchi
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has signed the Chieftaincy Appointment and Deposition Bill into law, ushering in one of the most sweeping administrative reforms in the state’s traditional leadership structure.
The new legislation provides for the creation of 13 new emirates and over 111 new district heads across Bauchi.
The law was assented to on Tuesday at the Government House, alongside several other key pieces of legislation.
The new emirates created under the law include Burra, Duguri, Dambam, Bununu, and Lere, among others.
In a related move, the Governor also assented to the repeal of the defunct Sayawa Chiefdom Law and the enactment of the Zaar Chiefdom Law, which officially establishes its headquarters at the Mhrim Namchi community in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.
In addition to restructuring the traditional institutions, Governor Mohammed signed two other crucial acts: the Local Government Pension Contributory Scheme Law, with the Governor pledging to clear the backlog of pensions and gratuities owed to retired local government workers; and the 2025 Appropriation Supplementary Act, intended to sustain ongoing developmental projects across the state.
Governor Mohammed issued a stern warning against politicizing or obstructing the implementation of the new laws, directing security agencies to act decisively against anyone attempting to cause unrest.
“This administration will not tolerate any attempt to undermine, obstruct, or politicize the implementation of these laws,” the Governor declared.
He stressed that any person or group found inciting division or spreading misinformation will face the full consequences of the law, and directed the Attorney General and the Secretary to the State Government to immediately gazette and distribute copies of the new laws for prompt implementation.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y. Suleiman, described the new law as a product of “extensive consultations and consensus-building” involving traditional rulers, civil society groups, and community stakeholders.
The Speaker emphasized that the Assembly considered fairness, due process, and respect for traditional norms in drafting the provisions, arguing that the creation of the new emirates would strengthen traditional institutions and bring governance closer to the grassroots.