In what seems like a war of words between two warring factions in Tafawa Balewa over LG headquarters, a group known as Tafawa Balewa Town Development Association (TABTODA) has reacted to a recent call by the National President of Zaar Development Association (ZDA), Engineer Isuwa Galla calling on the Bauchi state government to consider relocating Tafawa Balewa local government headquarters from Bununu to Tafawa Balewa town.
WikkiTimes reports that Engr. Galla who exclusively spoke to this medium was reported asking the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed to relocate the LG headquarters since normalcy has been restored.
He had also called on the state government to actualised the Zaar Chiefdom in fulfillment of recommendations made by various commissions and committees constituted by governments in the past.
Reacting to the calls, the group, Tafawa Balewa Town Development Association (TABTODA) in a press release signed and circulated to newsmen in Bauchi by its Chairman, Shuaibu Saleh Umar and Secretary, Yunusa Ado on Saturday rebuffed the call.
“The attention of the Tafawa Balewa Town Development Association (TABTODA) has been drawn to the call made by the National Chairman of Zaar Development Association (ZDA) Engr. Isuwa Galla over the agitations for the relocation of the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Headquarters from Bununu to Tafawa Balewa Town and the actualization of the Zaar Sayawa Chiefdom”, the statement read in part.
Shuibu Umar wondered why the ZDA President was making the call which according to him, the Bauchi State House of Assembly had passed two separate bills in respect to the relocation of the Local Government Headquarters and the creation of the Sayawa Cheifdom.
According to the release, the state government had also assented to the said Bills.
“The Chairman may wish to note that after passing the bills in their favour, it was his kinsmen that have taken the two matters to court in the following suits.
1. Suit No. BA/191/2011-Hon. Barrister Bukata Zhyadi and 3 others VS the Governor of Bauchi State and 10 others (later, when the Hausa/Fulani Community joined : and 16 others).”
“The suit was instituted on behalf of the plaintiffs/applicants at the State High Court, Bauchi praying for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Defendants/Respondents, their agents, servants or privies or anyone acting on their behalf or instructions from implementing the provision of creation of sayawa chiefdom Law, 2011 pending the determination of the substantive suit.
2. Suit No. FMC/ABJ/CS/125/2012 (Mo/No FHC/8AU/M/11 / 12)- Rev. Samaila Bani and 8 others Vs the Bauchi State House of Assembly and 10 others.” He said.
Umar noted that the relocation of Tafawa Balewa local government headquarters to Bununu was due to the series of ethno-religious crises that mostly started from the town.
He said it was in view of series of crisis that the Bauchi State House of Assembly on 7th February, 2012 passed a resolution ordering the relocation of the Headquarters of the local government Bununu.
According to Umar, the State Government affected the order following the decision of the state Assembly to that regard.
The group pointed out that the relocation of the LG headquarters to Bununu was welcomed by the majority of the people of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area especially the residents of the town.
Umar added that, “however, the Sayawa went to Federal High Court, Abuja and later the case was transferred to Federal High Court, Bauchi. “The two cases are still pending in the afore-mentioned courts and any discussions or actions on the issues are subjudice.”
Tafawa Balewa LGA in Bauchi state has a history of ethno religious crisis between the Zaar people and other tribes that led to loss of lives and destruction of properties worth billions of naira.
