Bauchi Muslim Coalition Reacts to Governor’s Decision on Sayawa Chiefdom Headquarters

By Sani Adamu Musa

The Bauchi State Muslim Organization Coalition, operating under the auspices of the Bauchi State Muslim Parliament (BSMP), has expressed strong opposition to the recent decision by the Bauchi State Government to locate the proposed Sayawa Chiefdom headquarters in Tafawa Balewa. The coalition made its position known during a press briefing held on Monday, December 16, 2024, at the BIC Plaza in Bauchi.

The decision, announced by Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed during a stakeholders’ meeting on December 9, 2024, has been described by the coalition as hasty and lacking adherence to due process. According to the BSMP, the governor’s decision disregards historical facts, legal proceedings, and recommendations from several government-established committees that have previously examined the issue of the Sayawa Chiefdom agitation. The coalition also pointed out that the matter is currently pending before a court of law, making the governor’s pronouncement both premature and legally questionable.

The coalition highlighted that Tafawa Balewa has long been recognized as a historical settlement of the Fulani community. They referenced reports from various committees, such as the late Justice Bolarinwa Babalakin Commission of 1991 and the Ambassador Jibrin Dada Chinade Committee of 2022, which consistently recommended Bogoro as the most appropriate site for the headquarters of the Sayawa Chiefdom. These reports, the BSMP noted, were based on exhaustive consultations and factual evidence.

While the coalition expressed no objection to the creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom as a legitimate right of the Sayawa people, it categorically rejected the decision to site the chiefdom’s headquarters in Tafawa Balewa. They emphasized that this decision appears to reward lawlessness and injustice, particularly against the Fulani community, who were displaced from Tafawa Balewa during past crises. According to the BSMP, this policy risks further aggravating tensions and undermining peaceful coexistence in the state.

The BSMP called on the Bauchi State House of Assembly to legislate against the siting of the Sayawa Chiefdom headquarters in Tafawa Balewa. They urged lawmakers to uphold principles of fairness and justice by aligning their decisions with historical evidence and committee recommendations. The coalition stressed that previous laws governing the Sayawa Chiefdom, including the 2014 amendment, placed the headquarters in Bogoro, not Tafawa Balewa.

Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful and lawful advocacy, the coalition vowed to pursue justice for the Fulani community and to prevent any actions that could destabilize the state. According to Mal. Yusuf Abdullahi, Chairman of the BSMP, the group remains dedicated to fostering understanding, equity, and good governance in Bauchi State.

The coalition concluded by appealing for political restraint and constructive dialogue, emphasizing the need to resolve the issue in a manner that preserves peace and stability. They urged the state government to reconsider its decision and act in a way that ensures justice and fairness for all stakeholders.