Senator Criticizes Gov Mohammed’s Statements on Bandit Sponsorship

A senator confronts Governor Mohammed over his controversial comments about bandits’ sponsors. Read more about the heated exchange and the senator’s stance.

Senator Shehu Buba (Bauchi South Senatorial District) has reacted to Governor Bala Mohammed’s allegations of supporting bandits, describing them as baseless, unfounded and malicious.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Buba described the governor’s statement as baseless, adding that he will not be intimidated by such allegations.

He made this known in a press release by his Political Aide, Mr Hassan Gazim Duguri.

The senator also described the governor’s petition against President Bola Tinubu as absurd and unfortunate.

He said he was only responding to the baseless accusations of banditry to set the record straight and expose falsehoods.

He condemned the governor’s repeated insults against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the governor’s remarks served to incite public resentment against the Federal Government.

“As a senator representing Bauchi South at National Assembly, Senator Buba has had to endure the arrogance, excesses and unbecoming behaviour of Governor Bala Mohammed, including the baseless lies which arose from the senator’s defence of the president against repeated derogatory remarks,” the statement read.

“Governor Muhammed has not only orchestrated the stripping of Senator Buba from his chieftaincy but has also used political proxies to undermine his standing in the state. Such despicable tactics reveal the governor’s desperation and the senator will not be intimidated.

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The governor’s letter also claims that the suspected bandits, Abubakar Idris and Zainab Aliyu Gado, were enrolled for the pilgrimage by one Yahaya Ibrahim, allegedly a senior parliamentary aide to Senator Shehu Buba.

In response, the staff clarified that “Senator Buba does not have a senior National Assembly official by the name of Yahaya Ibrahim.

While it is the responsibility of security agencies to carefully screen potential Hajj pilgrims, Senator Buba sponsors the pilgrimage of many people annually based on recommendations from elders, community leaders and religious figures.”

The staff further stated that “We are aware that while Ms. Hajiya Zainab Ali was cleared to participate in the Hajj after thorough vetting, Mr. Abubakar Idris was detained for further investigation without the intervention of the Senator’s office.”

The statement further continued, “As Chairman of a key Senate committee, ‘Senator Buba has

The statement noted the continued attacks on the governor, saying, ‘Governor Bala Mohammed has waged a political war against Senator Buba and led others with courage to question his leadership style and arrogance.’”

The statement read, “In 2019, when Bala Mohammed was facing political challenges, Senator Buba, through Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, personally introduced Bala Mohammed to the then Chairman of the APC, Awaju Bola Tinubu.

However, just months later, the Governor exposed his ungrateful and duplicitous character when he antagonized President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Tinubu and the APC at a PDP campaign rally in Bayelsa State.

“Senator Buba continues to strongly deny these baseless allegations and reiterated his commitment to serve his constituents and ensure the security of the state.
“He is known for positively impacting the wellbeing of his constituents by providing scholarships, facilitating skill acquisition and empowering youths and women.

“Moreover, he has been commended for his contributions to infrastructure development, poverty alleviation, provision of social amenities and palliative measures to mitigate the impact of the removal of petrol subsidy, among other laudable initiatives.

“Regardless of the Governor’s sinister intentions, the winds of change gathering momentum in Bauchi cannot be stopped.

His days of undignified and unethical conduct are drawing to an end. The drive for change has already begun and no amount of intimidation will deter or intimidate his boss,” the statement concluded.