By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
The Zaar Development Association (ZDA), the apex socio-cultural body representing the Sayawa people
worldwide, has declared that the whole world knows that the Sayawa Chiefdom Law came into force in 2011 under the administration of former Governor of Bauchi State, Mal. Isah Yuguda while the current Government is attempting to amend it before it is implemented.
The ZDA was reacting to a statement credited to the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) dated December 12, 2024, in which MURIC opposed the creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom in Tafawa Balewa town and threatened to undermine the Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed and the Bauchi State Government.
ZDA in a statement by its General Secretary, Numshi Mailafiya, Gene
issued to Journalists Sunday evening, stated that, “But the Professor Akintola seemed to be leaping before looking and quoting unknown and non existent law and section all in an effort to deliberately spread lies, deceit, mischief, propaganda, and hatred with the view to instigating religious crisis and disrupting as well as derailing the Government of Bauchi State from performing its official duties using cheap blackmail and manipulative
religious sentiments.”
“We urge the members of the public to be very wary of the prof who has been known to be a merchant of religious crisis in Nigeria,” It called.
ZDA stressed that, “Every Nigerian knows that the idea behind the creation of the Chiefdom is to create a traditional leadership that reflects the local population’s composition which is more than 85% Christians, with the aim of fostering unity and development in the area and the State at large.”
It added that,”The Professor is clearly oblivious of the fact that what the Government of Bauchi state is attempting to do now is a product of about five different Committees set up serially since 1992 to date beginning from the Federal Government’s Babalakin Commission of Inquiry down to the most recent one in December, 2024.”
According to ZDA,”It is the various recommendations of these Committees/Commissions that the Government is trying to harmonize and
implement for the good of Bauchi State.”
It added that, “The Professor should know that the Bauchi State House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon Y. Suleiman is very competent and well experienced to know how to pass a Chieftaincy Law and the Professor should desist from trying to undermine the State Legislature with his cheap and local street inconsequential misinformations aimed at twisting and fabricating lies to misinfom, deform and mislead the
undiscerning members of the public.”
“The reference to past religious crises in Tafawa Balewa is indeed tragic, and it is important to acknowledge the
painful history of violence that has affected many families of both Christians, Muslims, Traditionalists etc of both the Sayawa and non Sayawa people in the area,” It stressed.
The ZDA added that,”However, it would be unjust to let past grievances prevent current reforms and progress. The creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom is not an attempt to erase or ignore the suffering of any group but rather a step towards healing, reconciliation, and mutual respect between different Communities, moreso that the Muslims have since conceded that the Sayawa Chiefdom be established and even now they are not objecting to same.”
It added that,”MURIC is obviously attempting to shed crocodile tears and cry more than the bereaved if any in an attempt to display its excessive busy body-for-nothing-attitude.”
It stressed that, “It is essential to recognize that the establishment of the Sayawa Chiefdom would play a critical role in resolving conflicts and promoting interfaith and intercultural understanding within Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro LGAs, the State and the world at large and once that is achieved, people like Professor Akintola and his
organization who are only but merchant of crisis would become extinct and derelicts.”
“We therefore understand why prof on the contrary wishes that the crisis in our area should rather continue and not come to an end. It’s his stock in trade. The Professor and his organization thrives only when religious crisis abound so that he can be seen as a champion of fanatical bigots. We advice him to look for another peaceful means of survival than merchandising crisis,” It added.
ZDA also stated that,”Furthermore, MURIC’s claim that the Governor’s decision violates Nigeria’s Constitutional provisions on religious freedom is unfounded and unsubstantiated. The proposed Chiefdom does not contravene any Constitutional law, and there is no indication that religious discrimination will be institutionalized.”
It added that,”The Professor doesn’t know what the Constitution of Nigeria contains and he is buried in the one sided believe that the Constitution promotes and protects Nigerians based on their religions only. This is very sad to note about the man who calls himself a Professor.”
According to the ZDA, “The Sayawa Chiefdom aims to provide 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. We are concerned that MURIC is opposing its establishment and in doing so it’s resorting to threatening not only the Governor of Bauchi State, His Excellency Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, the Bauchi State House of Assembly but also the Sayawa people both Christians, Muslims and Traditionalists, being a non indigene of Bauchi State for that matter.”
“Verily, the Professor and his paid organisation is not aware that the Sayawa people don’t show any discrimination among themselves and it’s on record that both the District Heads and many Village and Hamlet Heads in both Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro LGAs have been Muslims majority of whom have not even been of the Sayawa tribe,” It added.
It drew his attention stating,”He can verify this fact. 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 the prof is using his resources to instigate crisis in our Communities here in Bauchi State.”
It added,”We call on the members of the general public therefore to hold Prof Akintola responsible if any religious crisis erupts in our Areas due to his threats, misinformation and propaganda. We have confidence that our Governor would not be deterred by the cheap blackmails and threats of the Professor and we assure him that the Sayawa Community world wide is in total support of His Excellency in his efforts towards establishing the Sayawa Chiefdom.”
“Finally, 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. We urge MURIC and other critics to engage constructively in the process rather than sow seeds of division. It is only through dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect that we can build a stronger, more united and prosperous Nigeria,” ZDA concluded.