After the Bauchi Emirate Council decided to strip him of his ancient title of “Mujaddadin Bauchi,” Senator Shehu Buba Umar (APC, Bauchi South) voiced his displeasure.
He maintained that he had not been afforded a fair hearing prior to the decision-making process.
The senator’s traditional title was withdrawn on Wednesday by the Bauchi Emirate Council for ‘disrespecting’ the state governor, Bala Mohammed, according to Worldoh.
According to Worldoh, last week during a press briefing, Buba accused PDP Governor Mohammed of stealing relief supplies from the federal government run by the APC.
In response to the governor’s assessment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiatives, the senator spoke out.
According to the senator, the state government allegedly sold rice, maize, and fertiliser instead of distributing them to the people, despite their importance in alleviating economic suffering in the state.
The revocation of the title, however, occurred after a council meeting in which Senator Umar’s alleged wrongdoing was discussed, according to a letter signed by Nasiru Musa on behalf of the Emirate Council’s secretary and dated August 14, 2024.
Buba wrote to the Emir of Bauchi to convey his dismay at the decision of the Bauchi Emirate Council to remove his chieftaincy title.
He begged the council to stay out of partisan disputes that benefit politicians at the expense of the public.
The senator made it clear that he was defending President Bola Tinubu and not insulting Governor Mohammed.
He justified his action by saying the governor had made “disparaging comments” about the president, which he took as an attempt to tarnish the president’s image, stir up trouble in the public, and jeopardize national security.
Umar, the senator, said that the governor was trying to play on public emotions and damage national security with his “confrontational, accusatory, abusive, and defamatory” tone.
According to Umar’s statement that was read by Worldoh, he expressed his disbelief upon receiving a letter dated August 14, 2024, which informed him that the Bauchi Emirate Council had decided to revoke his traditional title of Mujaddadin Bauchi.
I get that accusations that I slandered Governor Bala Mohammed at a campaign rally led to this decision.
But all I did at a recent APC rally was refute the governor’s attacks on President Tinubu. It seemed to me that the point of these remarks was to make the president the target of popular scorn and to sow discord.
The governor used emotionally charged language to falsely accuse President Tinubu of ‘lying to us,’ ‘deceit,’ ‘creating agony,’ and ‘fostering rage and hunger.’ His rhetoric was aggressive, accusatory, abusive, and defamatory, as shown in many footage that were extensively disseminated in the media.
There is no proof to back up the claims made by Governor Bala, a PDP member, against APC President Tinubu; his accusations are also politically driven.
In response, I brought up the fact that, despite receiving more than N47 billion this year alone and more than N144 billion in 2023 from the Federation Account, the people of Bauchi are still going hungry and facing other hardships.
Contrary to Governor Bala, President Tinubu is dedicated to protecting the country, restoring economic stability, and encouraging peaceful cohabitation, all without causing divisions in the country, as I emphasized.
I defended the president, who is above the governor in authority, with my comments.
“I am disappointed that the Bauchi Emirate Council did not provide me with a fair hearing before making their decision. Although I respectfully disagree with their decision, I am hopeful that a leader would be sent to Bauchi State by Almighty Allah to resolve these difficulties.
Furthermore, I urge the Bauchi Emirate Council to stay out of petty political conflicts that only benefit a select few at the expense of the general populace.
I hope the Emir of Bauchi has a long and healthy life and that he continues to manage the Emirate wisely.