Just in: Zamfara monarchs barred from awarding chieftaincy titles without approval

Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle of Zamfara State has ordered all emirs and other district heads in the state to obtain approval before conferring traditional titles on individuals.

A statement issued by the governor’s Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications. Zailani Bappa, stated this on Wednesday.

The statement quoted the governor as saying, “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.

“The directive becomes necessary in order to check indicriminate award 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 it will attract serious reprimand from the state government.”

The Yandoto Emirate had conferred a title on a notorious bandit Adamu Alero, a development that raised dust within and outside the state.