Bauchi: Ayaa community emulates Sayawa ethnic group, seeks Chiefdom creation in future
By Samuel Luka, Bauchi
As the Sayawa people awaits the actualization of their long agitated Chiefdom out of the present Bauchi Emirate council, Ayaa community in Boi, Bogoro local government area has indicated interest in having their own Chiefdom created in future.
The Youths of the community made this known in a statement jointly signed and made available to newsmen by Comrd Jonas Munaka, Boi Progressive Association National Youth Chairman and Comrd Kalanyanta Kevin, National Youth Secretary.
They stated that, for the time being, Ayaa community will remain loyal to Bauchi Emirate, which is over a 90 kilometers away from Boi community.
The Ayaa Community emphasized its resolve to continue to exist under the Bauchi Emirate as it is now until it is able to get its own self rule.
According to the Youths, “We, the united and resolute youths of the Ayaa community, under the distinguished umbrella of the Boi Progressive Association (BPA) National Youths Wing, hereby reaffirm our unwavering support for the decision of the Boi Council of Elders to remain under the Bauchi Emirate.”
It will be recalled that on 10th February 2025, the Boi Council of Elders made a clear and categorical declaration that the Boi community will not be part of the Sayawa Chiefdom but will instead continue its long-standing association with the Bauchi Emirate Council.
They stated that, “As Ayaa youths, we stand in full support of this decision, which reflects our collective aspiration to uphold our unique identity, heritage, and historical continuity.”
The explained that their decision to remain under the Bauchi Emirate is deeply rooted in their commitment to preserving their cultural heritage, which has been in existence for centuries.
“Our history as Ayaa people predates the establishment of formal traditional leadership structures, with our ancestors maintaining a distinct identity long before the formation of any chiefdoms”, they claimed.
The youth group noted that the traditional leadership of the Ayaa people was formally established in 1820 as a Hamlet Head under Yakubun Bauchi and later elevated to a Village Area in 1882 under Sarkin Bauchi Hassan II.
“These historical milestones emphasize the deep ties between the Ayaa people and the Bauchi Emirate, an affiliation that has stood strong for over 143 years,” They narrated.
While commending Governor Bala Mohammed’s efforts towards the creation of Sayawa Chiefdom, the youth pointed out that the Ayaa community have always supported the Zaar people in their long-standing quest for the creation of their Chiefdom.
They praised the effort of the Bauchi Governor in establishing the Sayawa Chiefdom as part of his commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive.
The youth group said going by the Governor’s declaration that non-Sayawa-speaking communities can decide whether to join the new Chiefdom or not, the Ayaa people, through their Council of Elders, have made a collective and well-informed decision to remain under the Bauchi Emirate, aligning with their historical and cultural realities.
“While we respect the creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom, we earnestly appeal to Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed to also consider our long-standing desire for a separate chiefdom for the Boi Ayaa people”, they said.
They added, “we firmly believe that granting us this status will not only foster peace and stability but also create a conducive environment for economic growth, social development, and the preservation of our cultural heritage.”