Sayawa Chiefdom: your cheap blackmail will not deter Governor Bala – ZDA fires missiles at MURIC
By Samuel Luka, Bauchi
For meddling into the affairs of Bauchi state and its government on the recent decision of Governor Bala Mohammed to create Sayawa Chiefdom with headquarters in Tafawa Balewa town, Muslim Rights Concern (MuRIC) has attracted the anger of a Sociocultural organization known as Zaar Development Association (ZDA).
The Association which condemned MURIC for opposing the creation of Sayawa Chiefdom under the sentiment of religion, expressed confidence that Governor will not be deterred by the cheap blackmails and threats coming from the Leader of MURIC.
“The proposed Chiefdom does not contravene any Constitutional law, and there is no indication that religious discrimination will be institutionalized” the ZDA pointed out.
“We, the Sayawa Community world wide is in total support of His Excellency, Governor Bala Mohammed in his efforts towards establishing the Sayawa Chiefdom”, the Secretary General of the ZDA, Numshi Mailafiya said in a press statement on Sunday.
The ZDA pointed out that the creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom is a positive and necessary step especially at this pivotal time towards inclusivity, cultural recognition, and the peaceful coexistence of the people of Bauchi State and
Nigeria.
ZDA which described as unfounded and unsubstantiated, MURIC’s claim that Bauchi Government’s decision violates Nigeria’s Constitutional provisions on religious freedom, advised MURIC’s leader to look for another peaceful means of survival rather than merchandising crisis.
The press statement urged Nigerians and the authorities to hold MURIC responsible should any religious crisis erupts in Sayawa community as a result of its threats, misinformation and propaganda.
“We are fully aware that right in the village where the Prof comes from, there are both Christians and Muslims living together and practicing their religion, traditions and chieftaincy without discrimination and violence yet he is using his resources to instigate crisis in our Communities here in Bauchi State”, the ZDA disclosed.
Mailafiya educated the Leader of MURIC that Sayawa people don’t show any form of discrimination among themselves, saying, available record showed that District Heads and many Village and Hamlet Heads in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro LGAs have been Muslims, majority of whom have not even been of the Sayawas.
While cautioning MURIC and others to engage constructively, rather than sowing seeds of division, ZDA said the Chiefdom is aimed at providing a platform for all ethnic and religious groups in the area to work together for the common good of the Community, the State, Nigeria and the world at large.
