By Armstrong Allahmagani
Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed, has insisted that Tafawa Balewa Town in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of the State remains the headquarters of the Sayawa Chiefdom, despite opposition by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
The Governor who was visibly angry while responding to the recent statement credited to the NSCIA, was speaking when the Christian Community in the State paid him the traditional Christmas homage at the Government House, Bauchi, on Thursday.
The NSCIA in a media statement by its Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, had questioned the rationale behind the decision of the governor to cite the headquarters of the Sayawa Chiefdom to be created by the Governor in Tafawa Balewa town.
“The Council unequivocally rejects the plan of the governor to site the headquarters of the Sayawa Chiefdom in Tafawa-Balewa because it is a recipe for ethno-religious conflicts,” Oloyede had warned.
But the Governor in his speech said that his administration has been working hard to ensure that Bauchi remains peaceful and reminding the Christian leaders and their followers that without their cooperation, there won't be peace.
He commended the Christian Community in that State that even with the sense of actualization of the sitting and creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom, they continue to give him the benefit of the doubt saying he is sincerely grateful.
"Recently, we have made a giant leap towards actualising the Chiefdom, we formed so many committees, had community engagement, stakeholders engagement to ensure that some of the thorny issues of the process, selection, headquarters sitting and so on, were resolved."
"But still, there are contentious issues based on suspicion and mistrust which are manifestations of the agitation. We will work to ensure that all issues are tackled.
"I will not join issues with the NSCIA because I am a member, but I feel highly disappointed with some of the comments. These are questions that I can be asked to explain, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt and give the necessary explanation; certainly, I know that they too mean well but there are a lot of incitement behind the matter, but on behalf of the people of Bauchi State, I will reach out to them."
The Governor expressed further displeasure over the situation saying, "In spite of unprovoked insults on me, I will swallow it up, but, I assure you that it will be done, we will get there, we know those people behind it, they are enemies of progress."
The Governor assured that wider stakeholding will continue in order to get all divergent views on the issue and see how they will be resolved amicably in favour of peace and unity of the state.
He further assured that nobody will be left behind in the issue because according to him, "We want a situation whereby there will be no acrimony from any side. We want a Chiefdom where peace and unity will reign.
"If I don't do it now, who will do it. I am a beneficiary of such coming from the minority, you backed me up to become a Senator and a two term Governor of the State. I have to do it," the Governor added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bauchi State, Abraham Damina, commended the Governor for his all encompassing style of leadership that has taken care of all segments of the state.
The CAN Chairman commended the Governor for his unbiased leadership that has ensured that every religion get its own share of dividends of democracy which he said is what democracy is all about.
"If we, Christians in the State will not appreciate what you have done, doing presently and will do for us again, I don't know what else we want. We were not expecting anything for Christmas considering the economic downturn in the country but you surprised us with bulls, rice, oils, and other items. We are indeed grateful to you," Damina said.
The CAN Chairman reiterated that the Christian Community will continue to be supportive of the administration in whatever capacity stressing that,"Our own is for peace to reign in the state."
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