Zamfara governor gives staff of office, vehicles to 19 emirs

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State on Saturday handed staff of office and official vehicles to all 19 emirs in the state, in a ceremony in Gusau that also formally crowned the new Emir of Gusau.

The event at the Trade Fair Complex was part of activities marking Zamfara's 30th anniversary. The state was created in 1996.

According to Leadership, the governor presented the staff to the 16th Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ibrahim Bello II, alongside 18 other first-class emirs. Channels TV reported that the 19 emirs included some appointed before the current administration who had not been formally coronated until now.

The new Emir of Gusau was appointed in July 2025 after the death of his father, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, on 25 July 2025 at the age of 71. Leadership reported that he is a direct descendant of Malam Sambo Dan Ashafa, founder of the Gusau Emirate.

Thousands of subjects, traditional title holders, government officials and dignitaries from across the North-West attended, according to Leadership. Pre-coronation activities included a public lecture on the history of the emirate's founder and a turbaning ceremony for notable personalities.

Peace and security top the agenda

Governor Lawal described the presentation as a milestone in the state's history and governance, and called traditional rulers critical partners in promoting peace, stability and development.

He asked the emirs to work closely with security agencies by providing credible information, mobilising community support and refusing to shield criminal elements, whatever their identity or affiliation.

"Traditional leaders are custodians of our people and our cultural heritage," the governor said, urging them to be "beacons of unity, peace and development."

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, urged the monarchs to uphold the fear of God in their duties. He also raised concern about the poor condition of the Sokoto-Gusau Road and called on the relevant authorities to act urgently.

Responding, the Emir of Gusau pledged purposeful leadership that would promote peace, security and development, and asked residents to remain law-abiding and support government policies.

The governor said his administration would complete the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the remaining royal palaces in the state. He told the emirs to use the vehicles strictly for official assignments and to maintain them well.

What happens next

The state government says it will keep rebuilding royal palaces and working with the emirates on grassroots programmes. The call to fix the Sokoto-Gusau Road now rests with the relevant authorities, who have not yet responded publicly.