Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle has barred all traditional rulers in the state from conferring traditional titles without government clearance.
This is coming after after the Emir of ‘Yandoto, Aliyu Garba-Marafa, conferred the traditional title of Sarkin Fulani on a wanted bandit, Ado Aleiru.
The appointment generated backlash, with the government suspending the emir and constituting a committee to investigate the matter.
The directive is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Zailani Bappa, the governor’s Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications.
“All Emirs, Senior District Heads and District Heads in the state are hereby directed to officially seek permission from the State Government before conferring traditional titles to anyone,” Matawalle was quoted as saying in the statement.
He said the directive became necessary to check indiscriminate awards and possible abuse of the traditional institution.
“Henceforth, no Emir, Senior District Head, or District Head must appoint anybody into any traditional office without securing official permission and clearance from the state government.
“Compliance to this directive is now mandatory and failure to abide by it will attract serious reprimand from the state government,” he warned.
