Sayawa Chiefdom: Christian Lawyers, Journalists Commend Bauchi Governor for Bold Steps

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

As controversy over the siting of the headquarters of the proposed Sayawa Chiefdom in Tafawa Balewa town, Bauchi State, rages, a group known as Joint Assembly of Christian Lawyers and Journalists (JACLJ) has called for caution over media comments that is gradually building up tension in Bauchi State.

The group in a statement issued to journalists on Sunday at the end of a joint meeting held over the weekend, stated that, “This bold step taken by the Governor of Bauchi State has been applauded by a cross section of Nigerians particularly ethnic groups and peace-loving Nigerians, who view the move by the governor as a commendable step to bring lasting peace and development to hitherto marginalized people who have struggled for self-actualization for decades.”

It commended the State Governor, Sen Bala A. Mohammed 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.

The statement read: “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.”

The forum stressed that, “We, as neutral parties, feel it necessary to state that.

“However, the governor’s kind gesture towards bringing lasting peace to the Sayawa people have generated a lot of controversies, especially as it pertains to the siting of the Headquarters of the Chiefdom in Tafawa Balewa town.”

According to the Forum, “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 governor’s office on December 9th, 2024 that: “After due consultation and conviction and persuasion, the Headquarters of the Sayawa Chiefdom shall be cited in Tafawa Balewa town.”

It added: “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.”

It added: “We feel that the involvement of the National Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Nigeria (NSCIA), the Muslim Rights Council and some Islamic Clerics among others are needless. This is further compounding issues and causing unnecessary tension in Bauchi State which has enjoyed relative peace in the past few years especially under the Administration of His Excellency, Sen. Bala A. Mohammed (Kauran Bauchi).

“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 stated finally that, “We therefore call for unity and peace among Nigerians especially Bauchi State and we also appeal to our 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 as there can be no development in an atmosphere of chaos.”