By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
This was said to be a move by the state governor, Bala Mohammed, to strengthen traditional institutions and deepen grassroots governance across the state.
Mohammed presided over the distribution ceremony on Monday, describing the gesture as more than a routine exercise.
“The traditional rulers remain the custodians of our values, the link between government and the grassroots, and the voices of the people. Their presence inspires order, while their wisdom sustains peace,” he said.
The vehicles distributed include 14 GMC vehicles, 14 Toyota Hilux trucks, 14 buses, and 144 Toyota Camry cars allocated to district heads. The governor said the vehicles are practical tools designed to improve mobility and service delivery.
“These vehicles are essential instruments to enable our traditional rulers to effectively engage their communities, mediate disputes, monitor development, and collaborate with security agencies,” he said.
Mohammed also announced that construction of new palaces for the newly established emirates and chiefdoms had begun, with a promise to complete the projects before the end of his tenure.
He added that the government was reviewing the remuneration and welfare packages of traditional rulers, saying previous provisions no longer reflected the weight of their responsibilities.
On finances, Mohammed said the government had ensured the implementation of statutory allocations of between four and six per cent from local governments to emirates, but warned that the funds must be managed with accountability.
“These resources are public funds entrusted to the institutions, not for personal use. Financial autonomy must go hand-in-hand with accountability,” he said.
He urged traditional rulers to remain in their domains to provide effective leadership and cautioned them against engaging in partisan politics.
In October 2025, Mohammed signed a bill creating 13 new emirates, one chiefdom, and hundreds of district heads in the state, a move that significantly expanded the state’s traditional institution structure.
The decision was aimed at bringing governance closer to the people and improving community-level administration.
Speaking at the event, the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, said the initiative reflected the state’s commitment to inclusive grassroots governance, noting that the Assembly had earlier passed the enabling legislation for the new structures.
The Emir of Bauchi and Chairman of the State Council of Emirs welcomed the development, describing it as a significant milestone for traditional institutions, urging the newly appointed emirs and district heads to uphold the values of the institution while working for peace and development.