Bauchi South Senator, Shehu Umar Buba, has said Governor Bala Mohammed’s allegation that he has a hand in banditry in the state was regrettable.
Senator Buba said he had endured Governor Mohammed enough in his alleged continuous attack on his personality.
Buba stated this in reaction to a letter from the Bauchi State Governor to President Bola Tinubu on banditry in the state.
According to the Governor’s letter, he claimed that one Abubakar Idris, a suspected bandit, and Zainab Aliyu Gado were registered to perform the pilgrimage through a supposed Senior Legislative Aide to Senator Shehu Buba, named Yahaya Ibrahim.
In a statement by his Legislative Assistant, Hassan Gajin Duguri, Buba explained that he has no legislative aide by the name Yahaya Ibrahim.
He accused Governor Bala of being ungrateful to him for the help he gave him when he had political problems.
It read: “As the Senator representing Bauchi South in the National Assembly, Senator Buba has endured Governor Bala Mohammed’s arrogance, excesses, and unbecoming behavior, which include unfounded fabrications stemming from the senator’s defense of the president against repeated disparaging remarks.
“Governor Mohammed not only orchestrated the withdrawal of Senator Buba’s chieftaincy title but also employed political proxies to undermine his standing within the state. Such underhanded tactics reveal the governor’s desperation, and the senator refuses to be intimidated.
“Senator Buba does not have a Senior Legislative Aide by the name Yahaya Ibrahim. While it is the responsibility of security services to conduct due diligence on potential Hajj pilgrims, Senator Buba sponsors numerous individuals for the pilgrimage each year, based on recommendations from elders, community leaders, and religious figures.
“We are aware that Hajiya Zainab Ali was thoroughly screened and permitted to perform Hajj, whereas Abubakar Idris was arrested for further investigation without any interference from the senator’s office.
“As Chairman of a crucial Senate committee, Senator Buba has actively championed initiatives aimed at counter-insurgency and anti-banditry, which are beginning to yield positive results.
“In 2019, when Bala Mohammed faced political challenges, Senator Buba personally introduced him to then APC Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, through Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. However, just months later, the same governor turned against President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Tinubu, and the APC at a PDP campaign rally in Bayelsa State, showcasing his ungrateful and duplicitous nature.
“Senator Buba remains resolute in denying these baseless allegations and reaffirms his commitment to serving his constituents and ensuring the security of the nation.
“He is known for positively impacting the well-being of his constituency by providing scholarships, facilitating skills acquisition, and empowering youth and women.
“In 2019, when Bala Mohammed faced political challenges, Senator Buba personally introduced him to then APC Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, through Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. However, just months later, the same governor turned against President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Tinubu, and the APC at a PDP campaign rally in Bayelsa State, showcasing his ungrateful and duplicitous nature.
“Senator Buba remains resolute in denying these baseless allegations and reaffirms his commitment to serving his constituents and ensuring the security of the nation.
“He is known for positively impacting the well-being of his constituency by providing scholarships, facilitating skills acquisition, and empowering youth and women.”