A Befitting Response To The “Burden Of Being An Emir” And The Claim Of Misunderstanding: Nasiru El-Rufai’s Role In The Emergence Of Bamalli As Emir Of Zazzau

By M. G. Bello, Ph.D

I came across the publication in the Daily Trust newspaper of Saturday, 12 September 2026, featuring an interview with the Emir of Zazzau, titled “Burden of Being Zazzau Emir.” I was particularly surprised to see such an interview published by a newspaper that Mr. Ahmadu Nuhu Bamalli had previously labelled an “enemy” in a six-minute video following the newspaper’s report on the partial collapse of the Malam Abdulkarimu Zazzau Central Mosque.

The controversy surrounding his emergence cannot be simply wished away through media appearances or public relations efforts. I will continue to argue that his appointment in 2020 was politically influenced by the administration of former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai, whom he later, in my view, failed to support when El-Rufai needed him to stand as surety for his bail conditions. In our view, no amount of media engagement can erase the circumstances surrounding his emergence or resolve the legitimacy questions that have continued to trail his reign.

THE 2020 SELECTION AND THE ROLE OF THE KINGMAKERS

According to the position advanced by those seeking the truth about the 2020 succession process, the candidates who received votes during the selection process included:

1. Late Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar Aminu, OFR, OON (Iyan Zazzau) — 3 votes
2. Malam Muhammad Munir Ja’afaru, MNI, OFR (Yariman Zazzau, now Madakin Zazzau) — 1 vote
3. Alhaji Aminu Shehu Idris (Turakin Zazzau) — 1 vote

The central argument is that these were the candidates who emerged from the traditional selection process, yet Mr Bamalli eventually emerged as Emir through a process that continues to be regarded by many as imposition and politically influenced.

This is why the question of legitimacy has refused to disappear.

“ISSUE OF SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION

Another striking aspect of the interview is Mr. Bamalli’s statement on his contest for the Emirship, while at the same time complaining that his application was reportedly thrown on the floor by the Waziri of Zazzau, Alhaji Ibrahim Aminu, I doubt much.

THE BURDEN OF THE THRONE

The title of the interview, “Burden of Being Zazzau Emir,” is itself significant.

The Emirship of Zazzau is undoubtedly a position of enormous responsibility. It carries historical, cultural and moral obligations to millions of people and to generations of traditional leadership.

However, Mr. Bamalli inherited the assets and privileges of the institution without inheriting the liabilities associated with the circumstances. But I’m expecting the legitimate Emirs to talk about the burden. For those who believe that Mr. Bamalli’s emergence was illegitimate, the issue is not simply about personalities. It is about the process through which the Emir was selected and the role allegedly played by the political authority of the time.

THE CONTROVERSY WILL NOT DISAPPEAR THROUGH MEDIA INTERVIEWS

Mr. Bamalli may continue to grant interviews, issue statements and explain his position, but the legitimacy debate is unlikely to disappear simply because it receives less media attention.

The people of Zazzau deserve clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding the 2020 succession process. They deserve to know whether established traditional procedures were followed, whether political considerations influenced the outcome, and why the candidate who emerged with the highest number of votes from the kingmakers did not ultimately become Emir.

Mr. Bamalli should therefore understand that, in the eyes of those seeking the truth, the question of legitimacy remains unresolved.

The Zazzau Emirate is bigger than any individual. Its history predates contemporary political administrations, and its traditional institution should not become a permanent battleground for political interests. Correcting what Nasiru El-Rufai did, in the view of those who believe the 2020 process was flawed, would be good for the Zazzau Emirate and for the integrity of its traditional institution.

What Zazzau needs is not another media war, but truth, transparency, respect for tradition, due process and a credible resolution of the succession controversy.

The burden of the throne may indeed be heavy. But the greater burden is the unresolved question of legitimacy surrounding the throne itself.

“Ataimakemu agyara abinda Nasiru El-Rufai ya bata.”

1. G. Bello, Ph.D.

[email protected]

14th September 2026