Sayawa Chiefdom : Bauchi gov reacts to ‘opposition’ by Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has spoken of his frustration with the position of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs with the decision of his administration to create the Sayawa Chiefdom with headquarters in Tafawa Balewa town.

Mohammed gave the counsel on Thursday when the State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) paid him a visit at Government House, Bauchi, on Thursday.

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs had warned against citing the headquatres of the chiefom in Tafawa Balewa Town.

Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, had questioned the rationale behind the decision of governor to pronounce proposed headquatres in Tafawa Balewa town in view of its history of ethno-religious violence.

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Reacting to the NSCIA, Mohammed said, “We have made a giant leap towards the actualization of the Sawaya chiefdom”

“We set up so many committees, community and stakeholders engagement to ensure that some of the thorny issue in the process of selection, the headquatres and soon are resolved”

He believed that contentious issues such as the location of the Sayawa Chiefdom headquatres were based on age long suspicious and mistrust which is informing some of the manifestations.

“I will not join issue with the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs because I am a member,” he stated.
“I felt highly disappointed that some of those things that I can be asked to explain, I was not given the benefit of the doubt I was not given the benefit of explanation”

“Certainly I owe a duty to the people of Bauchi State and on behalf of the people to reach out to them in spite of unprovoked insults on me.

“Certainly there is a lot of incitement over the issue but I assure you it will be done.

“We know those people behind it are enemies of progress and I am happy you (CAN) are seeing and recognising what we are doing and appreciating the contributions of both parties at both sides and the sacrifices.

“All we want is to bring peace because it is a win-win situation where both sides will benefit

“I urge all stakeholders to give me the benefit of the doubt and I will intensify stakeholder and reach out to the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs because they have a responsibility and I recognised their position.

Mohammed used the opportunity to express gratitude to the Christian community in the state for giving his administration unflinching support.

He urged Christians to continue to pray for his administration to maintain the peace enjoyed in the state and assured of his commitment to fulfil some of the promises made to them.

Earlier, the CAN Chairman Pastor Abraham Damina conveyed the appreciation of his members for the dividends of democracy enjoyed by them in the state under the Mohammed administration saying it is unprecedented.