Bauchi Govt Blames Ethno-religious Crisis On Disregard For Authorities

Bauchi State government has attributed the constant ethno-religious or communal clashes in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro local government areas of the state leading to loss of lives and properties to defiance and total disregard to constituted authorities by the people.

It is for this reason, said the government, that it is taking appropriate steps to assert the authority of the state, as well as taking such matters to court for adjudication for the people to be disciplined by decisions of the court of law.

A government statement in Bauchi yesterday therefore called on people in the state, particularly those involved or affected by such unfortunate incidents to await the decision of the court of law.

The statement signed by the special adviser to the governor on media and publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, said the state government is ready to deal decisively with anybody that seeks to incite or undertake any action that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.

It said the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed is determined to ensure lasting peace and harmonious coexistence among the various heterogeneous ethnic and religious groups in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro local government areas of the state.

“As a responsible and responsive government, the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed has changed the hitherto destructive and acrimonious trajectory in the area by establishing a proper mechanism that will lead to the creation of a Sayawa chiefdom that would be acceptable and embraced by all stakeholders for peace to reign in the affected areas,” he added.

Gidado said that it was this noble objective that led government to engage in consultations with key and relevant stakeholders leading to the establishment of a committee to suggest to government the modalities for the implementation of the reports of Justice Babalakin, Shehu Awak, Justice Bala Umar commissions of enquiry as well as the Bauchi State House of Assembly Law on the creation of the Sayawa Chiefdom.

The special adviser stated that while the government is doggedly pursuing this noble process, which other administrations failed to implement, it will not and cannot allow anybody or group to become “law unto themselves” and even appoint traditional rulers without resort to, nor with the approval of the government.