A one-time governorship candidate in Bauchi State, Alhaji Umar Musa Gwaskwaram, has called on the state government and Legislature to expand the number of emirates and administrative districts across the state as part of efforts to improve grassroots governance and equity. The appeal was made during a media briefing in Bauchi city on January 21, 2026.
Gwaskwaram who contested under the African Liberation Party described recent administrative reforms as positive but insufficient, arguing that some communities remain marginalised and lack direct access to traditional leadership structures that could support local development and cultural representation. He specifically highlighted calls for establishment of new emirates in Zaki and Sakwa, Itas and Gadau, and Shira and Disina areas.
The former candidate linked these demands to longstanding historical identities of local kingdoms predating colonial administration, asserting that reconstituting traditional authorities could bridge governance gaps and foster socio-economic progress in outlying regions. Gwaskwaram also urged lawmakers to consider creating additional district and ward heads to strengthen the presence of traditional authority at the grassroots level.
These calls come against the backdrop of recent state legal reforms that have already expanded traditional institutionsin Bauchi, including the creation of multiple emirates and district heads under a law signed by the state governor in late 2025. The existing reforms were designed to deepen civic participation, but Gwaskwaram’s proposal underscores continuing debate about equitable representation and resource distribution within the state’s traditional governance framework.
State officials and lawmakers have not yet publicly responded to the latest proposal, and it remains unclear how or when additional administrative units might be created. The issue highlights ongoing discussions about balancing cultural heritage, administrative efficiency, and community development in Bauchi’s governance priorities.
