By Samuel Luka
Apparently disturbed by a recent letter to Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state by Zauren Gonto and Zaar Development Association (ZDA), claiming to be the only Umbrella in Zaar land, among others, the national body of Zaar Youth Development Association (ZAYODA) has described it as a bunch of lies and deceit.
The ZAYODA in a rejoinder signed and made available to newsmen in Bauchi on Tuesday by its national leader Comrade Ga’Allah Daniel disagreed with the content of the letter written to the governor which he said was dated 30th January, 2022 by Zauren Gonto and the ZDA National Executives.
“We saw with rude shock, a letter written to your Excellency by the above mentioned self acclaimed bodies, claiming among other things, to be the supreme bodies in Zaar land which is nothing but a bunch of lies and deceit”, the ZAYODA said.
“The leadership structures of Zaar land includes the following; Zaar Traditional rulers, Zaar Council of elders, Women Wing, Youths etc”, the youth pointed out.
According to them, it is ordinarily expected that any letter emanating from the community must have the blessings and the mandate of the leadership structures in Zaar land.
“But sadly, this case in point flagrantly disregarded this vital procedure. It is against this background that we are calling on you to gloss over this acts of misinformation and total distortion perpetrated by these so called acclaimed leaders of Zaarland”, Comrade Daniel further explained.
The ZAYODA while commending Governor Bala Mohammed for taking a bold step towards ensuring the actualization of Sayawa Chiefdom said it is aware of efforts by some people to frustrate the move.
“Your excellency, we want to commend and applaud your boldness in attempting to solve the protracted agitation of the Sayawa community for the actualization of our Chiefdom by citing the status of the capital Sayawa Chiefdom in Tafawa Balewa, no more no less”, they said.
“We are aware of counter currents attacks on the other sides of the divide to water down your effort in finally addressing the matter once and for all. May God grant you the wisdom to fulfilled our heart desires”, ZAYODA further said.
“Even ordinarily when you set up the Committee of the Review of Babalakin, Shehu Awak and Justice Bala Umar Committe we had strong doubts on the credibility of the Committee to do justice because our zaar first 11 were not included and the composition of the Committee membership is deliberately skewed against us”, the youth added.
They stressed that, “secondly and most importantly the Sayawa Chiefdom matter is before the competent court of Appeal in Jos. Be that as it may, we are waiting to see that justice must not only be done but seen to be done to our people”.
ZAYODA while stating that Governor Bala Mohammed is a choice of the masses, expressed optimisms that he will never impose on them a ruler that they don’t desire.
“We want to reiterate that as a people, we have a gung zaar select, what we desire is for the state government to give us staff of office with a headquarters in Tafawa Balewa town”, they maintained.
The youth group said Zauren Gonto and ZDA are speaking out of their selfish desires and not as a representative of Zaar people because Zaar nation has lost confidence in them long before now.
ZAYODA while thanking the Governor on behalf of the Sayawa Community, said that the publication on the daily trust dated 29th January, 2022 by Barr. Bukata Zhyadi and Co remained the authentic and the majority voice of Sayawa people, promising that Sayawa Community will continue to remain law abiding citizens.