Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has signed into law the Chieftaincy Appointment and Deposition Bill, which provides for the creation of 13 new emirates and more than 111 district heads across the state.
The law, signed on Tuesday at the Government House in Bauchi, marks one of the most sweeping administrative reforms in the state’s traditional leadership structure.
Also assented to was the repeal of the Sayawa Chiefdom Law and the enactment of the Zaar Chiefdom Law, establishing its headquarters at Mhrim Namchi community in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.
In a move to strengthen governance and welfare, the governor signed the Local Government Pension Contributory Scheme into law, pledging to clear the backlog of pensions and gratuities owed to retired local government workers.
He also signed the 2025 Appropriation Supplementary Act to sustain ongoing developmental projects across Bauchi State.
The new emirates include Burra, Duguri, Dambam, Bununu, Lere, Darazo, Jama’a, Lame, Toro, Ari, Warji, Giade, and Gamawa Emirates, while the Sayawa Zaar Chiefdom will now have its headquarters at Mhrim Namchi.
Governor Mohammed warned against politicising 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.
“Any person or group found inciting division or spreading misinformation will face the full consequences of the law,”the governor declared.
He further directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, in collaboration with the Secretary to the State Government, to gazette and distribute copies of the new laws to all relevant authorities for immediate 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” with traditional rulers, civil society groups, and community stakeholders.
According to him, the new legislation reflects the collective will of the people and aims to deepen democratic participation and inclusive governance.
The Speaker said: “This law represents not just administrative expansion but a reaffirmation of our shared responsibility to build a system that serves every community fairly.
“Through open dialogue and public hearings, our people expressed overwhelming support for this initiative.”
Suleiman emphasised that the Assembly considered fairness, due process, and respect for traditional norms in drafting the provisions for the appointment and deposition of traditional rulers.
The creation of the new emirates, he added, would strengthen traditional institutions and bring governance closer to the grassroots in line with Bauchi’s inclusive development vision.
