Uproar against siting Sayawa Chiefdom in Tafawa Balewa needless – Group of Lawyers, Journalists
By Samuel Luka, Bauchi
A group known as Joint Assembly of Christian Lawyers and Journalists (JACLJ) on Sunday observed that the recent pockets of criticisms against Bauchi Government’s decision to create Zaar Sayawa Chiefdom with headquarters in Tafawa Balewa town is needless.
The group which made the observation in a press statement after a joint meeting on Sunday, called for caution over media comments that is gradually creating tension in Bauchi state.
The group described the decision of Governor Bala Mohammed and his administration as a bold step which has received a wider range of commendations, particularly from peace loving Nigerians who viewed the move as a step to bring lasting peace and development to hitherto marginalized people who have struggled for self-actualization for decades.
The press statement further appreciated the Governor for taking a bold step in addressing the issue of creating a Sayawa Chiefdom which has lingered for over three decades and seemingly defied solutions by previous administration in the State.
“We, the Christian Lawyers and Christian Journalists working in Bauchi State, during a joint forum meeting held on 21st December,
2024, feel duty bound to give out this press release to address some of the issues that have risen following the pronouncement of His Excellency, Senator Bala A. Mohammed (Kauran Bauchi), Governor of Bauchi State to create Sayawa Chiefdom”, they said.
According to the Forum, as neutral parties, they felt it necessary to state that the kind gesture of the Governor towards lasting peace in Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa and by extension, Bauchi state should not be trivialized.
The group expressed worries that the Governor’s kind gesture towards bringing lasting peace in the affected area has generated a lot of controversies, especially as it pertains to the siting of the Headquarters of the Chiefdom in Tafawa Balewa town.
“We feel these controversies and uproar are needless, owing to the Governor’s statement during a meeting with the Committee on Creation of Sayawa Chiefdom and key stakeholders at the Governors Office on December 9th, 2024
that: “After due consultation and conviction and persuasion, the Headquarters of the Sayawa Chiefdom shall be cited inTafawa Balewa town”, the statement said.
“Sequel to this, we feel that there is no need for personal
attacks and criticism on the person of the Governor who is the Chief Security Officer of the State. This is the only way to bring peace to the land that has been faced with many ethnic/religious crises that have led to loss of lives and
destruction of properties”, the Forum further explained.
The forum regretted that the involvement of National Supreme
Council of Islamic Affairs in Nigeria (NSCIA), the Muslim Rights Council and some Islamic Clerics among others are needless because it is further compounding issues and causing unnecessary tension in Bauchi State which has enjoyed
relative peace under the government of Bala Mohammed.
“We call on those who are aggrieved and dissatisfied with the Bauchi State Governor’s decision on the creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom and siting its headquarters in Tafawa Balewa Town, to sheath their swords and seek for redress, if any, from the appropriate quarters. We submit that it is of
paramount importance we focus on what unites rather than what divides us,” it added.
The Forum which also called for unity and peace among
Nigerians especially Bauchi State, appealed to traditional leaders, interest groups, individuals and
particularly religious leaders to eschew bitterness and desist from inciting and propagating hatred and divisions among
the good people of Bauchi State in order to foster peace for development.