Tension in Zazzau as Petition Seeks Emir Bamalli’s Removal

A fresh wave of controversy has erupted in Zazzau Emirate as Ibrahim Muhammad-Aminu, the deposed Wazirin Zazzau, has formally petitioned the Kaduna State House of Assembly to reverse the appointment of the 19th Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli.

In a petition submitted to the Speaker of the Assembly, Yusuf Dahiru Liman, Mr. Muhammad-Aminu accused former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of installing Emir Bamalli in November 2020 in violation of established traditional procedures and the Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Law of Kaduna State.

According to the petition, the kingmakers of the Zazzau Emirate had conducted a selection process in line with long-standing customs and native laws, but their recommendations were allegedly ignored by the state government.

The former Waziri contends that the appointment was politically motivated and executed outside the framework of lawful and traditional authority.

“The selection process conducted by the kingmakers was clear and legitimate, yet it was sidelined without justification,” Mr. Ibrahim stated.

He called for the reversal of the appointment to preserve the sanctity of the emirate’s hereditary process and uphold legal and cultural precedents.

This petition adds a new layer to an already protracted controversy surrounding the Zazzau throne. Following the passing of the 18th Emir, Alhaji Shehu Idris, in September 2020, the succession process became intensely contested. Although kingmakers reportedly submitted a shortlist of candidates excluding Bamalli, then-Governor El-Rufai went ahead with his appointment, sparking widespread debate and multiple lawsuits.

In 2021, the Court of Appeal in Kaduna dismissed an earlier suit challenging Bamalli’s appointment, ruling that the matter was statute-barred, having been filed beyond the permissible legal window. However, with the fresh petition now before the state legislature, the debate appears far from over.

Analysts suggest that the outcome of the Assembly’s review could set a significant precedent for the interplay between traditional institutions and political authority in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government has yet to issue an official response to the latest development.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on the House of Assembly to see whether it will act on the petition or let the matter rest in the hands of history.