HAKIMAI
The administrative machinery of Zazzau Emirate is the Emir, the overall leader, Alhaji Shehu Idris, who is responsible for the administration of the entire Emirate, Composed of many districts and villages as described above. He is strongly assisted by his able representative known as district heads who run the day to day administration of their districts with the assistance of village heads (Dagatai) and ward heads (Masu Anguwanni).
The system of appointment of district heads (Hakimai) and the conferment of traditional titles (Sarautan Gargajiya) continue to flourish with the ascendancy of Alhaja Shehu Idris to the Exalted throne. The emir carried out this function as prescribed by the laid down tradition and customs of Emirate and in accordance with section 20 of the law of the federation, referred to earlier as Dasuki Committee.
As indicated, Zazzau Emirate is one of the few multi-dynastic Emirates in Northern Nigeria, Characterized by interplay of many forces results there from. This has made the Emirate become somewhat complex in terms of distributing traditional titles among the powerful ruling houses.
What obtains today in Zazzau is the outcome of the strenuous efforts and extraordinary competence displayed by the Emir, Alhaji Shehu Idris, in his handling of the high expectations and desires of the various ruling house in Zazzau by maintaining a far distribution of appointments and conferment of traditional titles among their members. The skillful efforts of the Emir effectively reduced rivalry among the ruling house, thereby creating a culture of peace and harmony for the first time in the history of Zazzau.
The appointment of district heads and conferment of traditional titles in Zazzau are made by the Emir in consultation with his council. What currently exists in the Emirate is the fact that the appointment of district heads is endorsed by the Kaduna State Government, and in this regard, the emirate council tends to select candidates strictly on merit before forwarding them to the Government for final approval. The eligibility for candidate to be appointed to the officer of a district heads and the conferment of traditional titles customarily vary with the responsibilities of the particular titles or office concerned. A principal distinction is thus drawn between the hereditary and non-hereditary titles which the Emir uses to maintain a balanced ruling system acceptable to all the ruling families in Zazzau.
The Emir is the chairman of the traditional council in his own domain. All the district heads (Hakimai) that are in Zazzau Emirate are directly responsible to the Emir. He assign all the district heads to their respective duties.
The District heads (Hakimai) forms an integral part of the administrative tool through which the emirate is maintained.