Bauchi Forum Defends Senator Shehu Buba, Slams “Politically Motivated” Falsehoods
By Khalid Idris Doya
A group known as Bauchi Forum of Gentlemen (BAFOG) has faulted a recent report in the media linking the Senator representing Bauchi South senatorial district, Shehu Buba Umar with Bandits’ kingpin, Bello Turji.
The Coordinator of the group, Malam Ibrahim Yakubu Muhid while addressing a press conference at the Bauchi NUJ secretariat on Friday, described the allegations as the handiwork of detractors who are envious of the political popularity of the senator ahead of the coming 2027 general elections.
According to him, it has become a common feature in the Nigeria’s body polity for campaigns of calumny, sinister attack, and false narrative to be promoted in the public space with a view to achieving cheap political goals or misguide the gullible.
In his address titled: “Rising Profile of Sen Shehu Buba Umar and Latest Round of Campaign of Calumny Against Him: Setting the Record Straight”, Mal. Yakubu Muhid said the allegation was purposely meant to damage the reputation, growing popularity, and public acceptability of the Senator who is expected to play key role in Bauchi politics in 2027.
Mal. Muhid further dismissed the allegations as false, libelious, mischievous and totally unreasonable campaign, regretting that not long ago, a similar untruthful and politically motivated allegation was brought to national attention.
“It was alleged that Senator Buba has links with some suspected bandits, but at the end of the day, based on the investigation and findings of the security services in the country, the allegation turned out to be baseless, unsubstantiated and totally untrue”, he said.
The group frowned at the recent report by Sahara reporters linking the senator with the wanted bandit kingpin, Bello Turji and also claiming that he (senator Buba) demolished a church in Plateau State and built a masjid in its place.
The Coordinator said, with senator Buba’s background and training, coupled with his position as Chairman Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, he does not have any link whatsoever with any criminal element,
Muhid noted that the senator with his public record and knowledge has sacrificed so much towards attaining peace and bringing an end to the insecurity affecting many parts of Northern Nigeria even before his election to the 10th Senate.
“He deserves commendation but not the propagated condemnation by the likes of the last culumny in the Sahara media. We therefore restate the fact with emphasis that, false allegations and misleading narratives suggesting any ties between the society and politically discrediting Senator Buba, with the Bandit Turji, or any criminal would again come and pass for the hollow, empty, mischievous, and politically crafted lie”, the group said.
The Coordinator further described the allegations of church demolition and building a masjid in its place as false and libellous, saying it is aimed at using religion, given its sensitivity in Nigerian affairs, to drag the Senator’s hard-earned reputation into the mud and put a wedge l between him and the cordial relationship he enjoys with Christians as the 2027 draws near.
He explained that those in Plateau state can bear witness that no muslim, no matter how strong he might be, can demolish a church and built a mosque in its place.
The coordinator who pledged unflinching support of his group to senator Buba ahead of 2027, therefore, urged members of the public to dismiss the report as it is.
0 Comments