El Rufa’i Changes Traditional Chiefdoms’ Format, Allegiance Now From Tribes To Territory
The Oasis Reporters
November 5, 2018
In further tinkering with the political, cultural and traditional colouration of Kaduna State, it’s Governor, Mr. Nasir Ahmad El Rufa’i has renamed the title of Gbagyi chiefdom to Chikun chiefdom as a reflection of government policy that anchors the authority of traditional leaders on territory, not tribe. This is to ensure that the traditional rulers include and command the allegiance of every group within the territory, rather than just the people with whom the ruler shares a common ethnicity.
In furtherance of this move, Malam Nasir el-Rufai approved the elevation of HRH Dr. Danjuma Barde, the Esu Chikun (previously known as Sa Gbagyi), to a first-class chief. HRH Dr. Barde was appointed Sa Gbagyi on 29th December 2000 and installed on 18th January 2001, as a third-class chief. He was upgraded to a second-class chief in 2007.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor (Media and Publicity), Samuel Aruwan.
Congratulating the chief on his elevation, Malam Nasir el-Rufai said that “HRH Dr. Barde deserves this exceptional recognition for his role in promoting peace.
“The decision to upgrade the Chikun Chiefdom to first-class status follows a recommendation to that effect by the Ministry of Local Government Affairs. The ministry, in a proposal signed by the commissioner Prof. Kabir Mato, noted HRH Dr. Barde’s contribution to peace and his active role as a bridge-builder among the ethnic groups in the chiefdom, a fact the government recently acknowledged in a letter of commendation to the chief.
Prof. Mato also drew attention to the fact that much of HRH Dr. Barde’s chiefdom is within Kaduna metropolis, noting that the chief has been able to promote integration among the diverse population of the chiefdom, which covers the entire Chikun local government area of the state. The ministry therefore recommended that he be elevated, to recognise his efforts, and to encourage people who make peace and harmony a priority.
HRH Dr. Barde holds a degree in Education and has worked as a teacher and chief education officer. He is also a former member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly.
Speculations are however rife in Kaduna State that the earlier re-engineering of chiefdoms to bear the Islamic and Arabian title of Emir sparked a lot of resentment, especially by chiefdoms in southern Kaduna who are largely Christians.
A foremost chief who was allegedly said to have opposed the move, the Agom Adara was ambushed and kidnapped on his way back from a meeting he was summoned to attend by the Governor in Kaduna. His kidnappers executed him after collecting ransom and freeing his wife. His police orderly was also killed.
