Gov Moh’d Appoints Ex-Security Adviser As Gung Zaar Sayawa

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has appointed his former Chief Security Adviser, Brigadier-General Markus Yake (rtd), as the first Gung Zaar after the creation of Zaar Sayawa chiefdom.

Secretary to the Bauchi government, Aminu Hammayo, presented Mr Yake with his letter of appointment on Monday at his palace in Mhrim, Tafawa Balewa local government area.

He said the appointment of Mr Yake as Gung Zaar followed due process provided for by the relevant Bauchi State laws for the appointment and deposition of traditional rulers.

Hammayo called on Mr Yake to lead with compassion and dedication to serving his people with justice and fairness to all.

Our correspondent reports that shortly after Mr Yake accepted his appointment as Gung Zaar, he was turbaned and ascended to the throne, initiating a reign that the Sayawa group had advocated for decades.

Until he was appointed the first Gung Zaaar, Mr Yake served as the Chief Security Adviser to Governor Mohammed between 2019 to 2023.

Mr Yake defeated three other candidates to emerge as the First Gung Zaar in a keenly contested election. About seven candidates have earlier submitted their applications through the Bauchi State Ministry for local government and chieftaincy affairs. However, three other candidates withdrew their candidacy for the position.

Speaking, Gung Zaar, Markus Yake, commended Governor Bala Mohammed for finding him worthy for appointment in that capacity, promising to work assiduously to support government policies and programmes.

He called on the Sayawa people to support the present PDP-led administration in Bauchi State, urging them to live in peace with one another for the socio-economic development of the state.

Earlier, a group of protesters took to the streets in Tafawa Balewa, rejecting the appointment of Mr Yake as First Gung Zaar, insisting that his appointment did not represent the popular view of the Sayawa people.

The group urged the government to rescind its decision to appoint Mr Yake as First Gung Zaar, adding that, instead, the government should appoint Air Commodore Ishaku Komo (rtd), who has been posing as self-appointed Gung Zaar.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP, Chief Priest, Zaar Traditional Worshipers, Mr Mbami Sabka, described the appointment of Mr Yake as First Gung Zaar as the most valuable development in the history of the emancipation of the Sayawa people in Bauchi.

He commended Governor Bala Mohammed for appointing Mr Yake to serve as First Gung Zaar, adding that the governor fulfilled his promise through the creation of Zaar Sayawa Chiefdom and the appointment of the First Gung Zaar.