Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has approved the establishment of the Sayawa Chiefdom, with its headquarters in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.
The governor gave the approval on Monday in Bauchi during a meeting with stakeholders from Tafawa Balewa LG.
He explained that the decision was reached after a thorough review of reports submitted by committees tasked with studying the modalities for creating the chiefdom.
According to him, the move is aimed at addressing the long-standing agitation for a Sayawa Chiefdom by the predominantly Christian communities in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government Areas.
Governor Mohammed expressed regret over the loss of lives caused by decades of ethno-religious violence in the region, which he said was largely tied to the agitation for the chiefdom.
He noted that previous administrations had struggled to resolve the issue for over 30 years.
Mohammed said to ensure a lasting solution, the government consulted extensively, even sending a committee to study similar chiefdoms in Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa States to learn from their structures, succession systems, and other practices.
DAILY POST reports that the newly created Sayawa Chiefdom will operate independently of the Bauchi Emirate and will be led by a traditional ruler, the Gun Zaar.
Succession to the throne will alternate between two historic clans, San Gami and San Gishi, with vacancies arising only in cases of death, resignation, or government removal of the ruler.
Governor Mohammed approves creation of Sayawa Chiefdom in Bauchi