Senator Denied Fair Hearing After Bauchi Emirate Strips Title

A senator stripped of his title by the Bauchi Emirate claims he wasn’t given a fair hearing during the process, raising concerns over the decision.

The revocation of his traditional title “Mujaddadin Bauchi” by the Bauchi Emirate Council has left Senator Shehu Buba Umar (APC, Bauchi South) feeling disappointed.

He alleged that he did not receive a just hearing prior to the measures being implemented.

On Wednesday, the Bauchi Emirate Council withdrew a senator’s traditional title for being disrespectful towards Bala Mohammed, the governor of the state. This information was reported by OBASANJONEWS.

Last week, Buba alleged during a press briefing that Governor Mohammed of the PDP had redirected palliative items given by the APC-led federal government – as reported by OBASANJONEWS.

The governor’s critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies elicited a response from the senator.

According to the senator, instead of providing essential supplies such as rice, corn and fertiliser to mitigate economic difficulties in the state, the government purportedly sold them.

A letter dated August 14, 2024 signed by Nasiru Musa on behalf of the Emirate Council’s secretary revealed that Senator Umar’s title withdrawal was a result of misconduct discussed during a council meeting.

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Expressing his disbelief at the decision of the Bauchi Emirate Council to revoke his chieftaincy title, Buba wrote a letter addressed to the Emir of Bauchi.

He implored the council to refrain from entanglement in political disputes that benefit politicians rather than citizens.

The senator explained that he intended to defend President Bola Tinubu with his comments about Governor Mohammed, instead of insulting him.

According to him, his reaction was triggered by the governor’s derogatory remarks about the president. He suspected that these comments were a deliberate attempt to harm the reputation of the head of state, fuel civil turmoil and threaten national safety.

Senator Umar denounced the governor’s choice of words, characterizing them as “combative, accusatory, offensive, and slanderous” to suggest it was an endeavor aimed at influencing public sentiment negatively while jeopardizing national security.

The statement witnessed by OBASANJONEWS reveals that Umar expressed his profound surprise upon receiving a letter dated August 14, 2024. The communication informed him of the Bauchi Emirate Council’s resolution to strip him of his traditional title as Mujaddadin Bauchi. Supposedly, this verdict stemmed from allegations claiming that he had insulted Governor Bala Mohammed at a political rally.

At a recent APC campaign event, I solely reacted to the governor’s derogatory statements regarding President Tinubu. My stance was based on the belief that such remarks intended to subject him to public mockery and instigate unrest.

The governor’s aggressive and emotionally charged language falsely accused President Tinubu of deception, causing pain, fostering anger, hunger and lying to the public. These accusations were made in multiple widely circulated media clips that contained confrontational and defamatory rhetoric towards the president.

The accusations made by Governor Bala, a PDP member, towards President Tinubu of the APC are unfounded and politically driven. I stated that despite receiving more than N144 billion from the Federation Account in 2023 and over N47 billion this year alone, Bauchi’s populace still grapples with poverty and hunger.

In order to defend the President’s commitment to national security, economic stability and peaceful coexistence without creating division among people in contrast with Governor Bala’s actions, I highlighted that President Tinubu holds a higher authority than the governor.

Although I was not offered a fair hearing by the Bauchi Emirate Council, I still regret their decision. Nonetheless, with humility, I acknowledge and accept it. My hope is that Allah will send a capable leader to effectively deal with these issues in due time for Bauchi State.

My recommendation for the Bauchi Emirate Council is to refrain from getting involved in political conflicts that only benefit a select group, instead of prioritizing the well-being of their citizens. I extend my wishes for good health and longevity to the revered leader, as he continues his sagacious governance over the emirate.