By Ibrahim Bello
Birnin Kebbi, Jan. 3, 2025
In a decisive move to uphold the sanctity of its traditional institutions, the Kebbi State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has issued a sweeping directive ordering an immediate halt—and reversal—of all improperly conferred traditional titles across the state’s emirates.
The directive, contained in an official circular signed by Abubakar Mansur-Tuga, Deputy Director of Administration, mandates all Emirate Councils, District Heads, and Village Heads to cease the conferment of any traditional title without obtaining prior written approval from the ministry.
Root of the Directive: A Crisis of Legitimacy
The circular states that the action was prompted by numerous complaints regarding titles being awarded “without adherence to established guidelines and regulations.” This points to a deeper, systemic issue where the proliferation of unapproved titles can dilute their cultural significance, create parallel power structures, and potentially be used for political or financial gain outside official oversight.
“The conferment of traditional titles must uphold the integrity, dignity, and longstanding traditions associated with such positions,” the circular emphasized. It further declared that “in line with ongoing reforms, no title should be granted under any circumstances without clearance from the ministry.”
The Core Directive: A Two-Pronged Order
The ministry’s order has two critical components:
- Immediate Moratorium: All future conferments are frozen pending ministry clearance. This centralizes oversight and ensures each title is vetted for its necessity, the suitability of the candidate, and its alignment with historical precedent.
- Retroactive Reversal: In a bold and unprecedented step, the ministry ordered the reversal of all titles conferred in the past two months that did not follow due process. Beneficiaries of these now-invalid titles are to be notified of the withdrawal immediately. This retroactive clause is the government’s most powerful tool to reset the system and demonstrate the seriousness of its intent.
The circular explicitly stated the goal: “This measure is aimed at restoring sanity and dignity in the award of traditional titles.”
Broader Context: Why Traditional Titles Matter
In Northern Nigeria, traditional titles (such as *Sarkin*, *Madaki*, *Waziri*, or *Dan Iya*) are not merely ceremonial. They are deeply embedded in the socio-political fabric, carrying significant cultural weight, community influence, and often specific administrative responsibilities within the emirate structure. An unchecked or politically motivated “title rush” can:
- Undermine the authority of the paramount ruler (the Emir).
- Create confusion and conflict over roles and protocols.
- Devalue the prestige of legitimately conferred titles held by others.
- Erode public trust in the traditional institution as a whole.
The Kebbi government’s intervention, therefore, is not just bureaucratic housekeeping; it is an attempt to safeguard a key pillar of social stability and cultural heritage.
Looking Forward: Compliance and Decorum
The circular concluded by urging all traditional institutions to ensure that any future conferment is “conducted with proper decorum and in strict compliance with the law.” This final instruction underscores that the process itself—the ceremony, the announcement, the registry—must reflect the dignity of the title being bestowed.
This crackdown by the Kebbi State government sets a clear precedent for other states grappling with similar challenges. It reaffirms the principle that traditional authority, while ancient in origin, operates within and is accountable to the modern framework of state governance and legal order. The coming weeks will reveal how thoroughly the emirate councils implement these reversals and how the affected individuals and communities respond.
Edited by Muhammad Lawal
(Source: NAN)
