A group, Zaar/Sayawa Christians Concerned Citizens of Bauchi State (ZCCCB) has condemned the recent calls by some people on Governor Bala Mohammed to sack from office, the commissioner for local government affairs, Abdulrazak Nuhu Zaki over alleged offensive post on his Facebook page.
The group while making its position known in a press release signed by the Chairman, Ishaya Daniel and issued to our correspondent in Bauchi on Tuesday said “we condemn in strong terms, the recent attacks on the administration of Gov Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (Kauran Bauchi)”.
The Chairman said that the attack which followed a purported post on the Facebook page of the commissioner was needless since he has made it clear that his Facebook account was hacked and has also tendered apologies to all that have been hurt by the post.
It can be recalled that the purported post on the Facebook page credited to the commissioner for local government affairs had referred the former speaker of the house of representatives, Rt. Hon Dogara Yakubu as an infidel (Arne) which later sparked a protest by a group of individuals in Tafawa Balewa town.
The protesters had while condemning the post, also demanded that Governor Bala Mohammed should sack the commissioner with immediate effect.
The press release expressed regret and dissatisfaction on how the issue was politicized, which according to the group, “is gradually turning into a campaign of calumny and total blackmail”.
They described the call as a scheme orchestrated to dent the image the Governor and incite hatred in the minds of the indigenous Christians and Zaar community against him despite his laudable achievements.
The group while stating that the present administration in the state has performed well within a short period, maintained that as lovers of peace and progress of Bauchi state, “we also condemned that Facebook post and also urge people to desist from such attitude” .
They also condemn attempts by those seeking to capitalize on the incident to score cheap political relevance by use of religion as cover to incite violence through preaching of unfounded propaganda capable of deteriorating the relative peace being enjoyed in the state.
Daniel averred that since the commissioner has distanced himself from the post by stating clearly that his Facebook account was hacked, the confusion going round over the alleged post is needless.
“The commissioner had apologized to whoever that the purported Facebook post might have hurt and has promised to get to the root of the issue to have the perpetrators (hackers) arrested, vowing never to condone such act”, the release said.
They said that the action so far taken on the matter is what is expected of a good leader who loves peace by coming out to tender apology despite the fact that the post was done by some bad elements who hacked his Facebook account to insult Rt. Hon Dogara Yakubu.
The group appreciated the current relative peace being enjoyed not only in Tafawa Balewa town but the state as a whole where citizens are relating with one another regardless of their religious or ethnic differences.
They vowed never to accept any attempt to jeopardize the effort of Governor Bala Mohammed in ensuring a lasting and sustainable peace in Tafawa Balewa and the entire state.
The Chairman urged Christians to imbibe the teaching their faith which said ‘vengeance is of the Lord’, adding that, taking laws into one’s hand is not an attribute of Christian faith.
“Our standard as children of the light is in forgiveness and reconciliation. The battle is not ours but the battle is for the lord, if we didn’t acted previously when other brothers were called infidels (Arne), then why must it be now?, he queried.
The group noted with concern that certain group of people are bent on using religion and inject hatred in the minds of Christians and Zaar community against the administration of Gov Bala Mohammed that has offered positions and opportunities to Christians than any other administration in the history of the State .
“Gov Bala Mohammed in the height of the incident, later became the prey and the main target. This goes to tell of their ulterior motive to distract him, the workaholic Governor to loose focus to achieve their 2023 target”, the group alleged.
They commended the governor for running a prototype administration that is Christian friendly in terms of appointments and other benefits in his cabinet, noting that the Sayawa Community has taken the lead in commitments.
The group prayed God to help the governor succeed in his numerous aims of service to the people of Bauchi state and to also protect him from his political enemies
