Bauchi Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has declared that the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria (SCIAN) has not been fair to him over published comments on the creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom and siting of the headquarters in Tafawa Balewa town.
The Governor who was visibly angry while responding to the recent statement credited to the SCIAN was speaking when the Christian Community in the State paid him the traditional Christmas homage at the Government House on Thursday.
The Governor stressed, “We have been working hard to make sure that Bauchi remains peaceful, and without your cooperation, there won’t be peace. Even the sense of actualization of the siting and creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom you continue to give me the benefit of the doubt, I most sincerely appreciate it.”
Bala Mohammed disclosed that “Recently, we have made a giant leap towards the 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.”
He however stressed, “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.”
Bala Mohammed stressed, “I will not join issues with the SCIAN 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 but certainly I know that they too they mean well but there is 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.”
Bala Mohammed declared, “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 then craved the indulgence of the delegation to rise and observe a minute silence in honor of those who died in the stampede across the country, Christians and Muslims while looking for what to eat at Christmas.
“Mr Chairman, I give God the glory for the gift of life and to be alive today, I share with you, the sympathetic and empathetic situations we share with the state government and with other people in the state as well as the whole country in this Yuletide period,” he added.
According to him, “I have been monitoring and watching with keen interest, the various statements about suffering and smiling across the country, that we have found ourselves. It is not time for blame or blame game.”
He stressed, “As Christians and religious leaders, I urge you to go back home and pray for the country and for us, political leaders so that we can have good leaders, leaders with care, not leaders that we love and run after, but leases that know our problems and challenges and God will give them the wisdom and responses, empathy and sympathy to bequeath projects and programs that will benefit us.”
In his remarks, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bauchi State, Rev Dr Abraham Damina Dimeus commended the Governor for his all-encompassing style of leadership that has taken care of all segments of the state.
The CAN Chairman particularly commended the Governor for his unbiased leadership that has ensured that every religion got its own share of the dividends of democracy which he said is what democracy is all about.
The Clergyman declared, “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.”
He added, “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.”
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.”
