I Only Responded To Gov Mohammed's Disparaging Remarks About Tinubu - Senator Stripped Of Traditional Title Defends Stance

Sen Shehu Buba Umar

The lawmaker representing Bauchi South in the Senate, Shehu Buba Umar has said that he was shocked to receive the letter informing him that the Bauchi Emirate Council has stripped him of his traditional title of ‘Mujaddadin Bauchi’.

The lawmaker lamented that he was not given a fair hearing, stating that he had accepted his fate.

TORI earlier reported that the Bauchi Emirate Council revoked the senator’s traditional title on Wednesday for ‘disrespecting’ the state governor, Bala Mohammed.

Umar had held a press briefing last week where he accused Mohammed of diverting palliative items provided by the APC-led federal government

The Senator claimed that essential supplies like rice, corn, and fertiliser meant to alleviate economic hardship in the state were allegedly sold by the state government instead of being distributed to the people.

The Bauchi Emirate Council subsequently withdrew Umar’s title, disclosing that the withdrawal followed a council meeting, where the legislator’s alleged misconduct was discussed.

Reacting to the Bauchi Emirate Council’s decision to revoke his chieftaincy title, Buba, in a letter addressed to the Emir of Bauchi, expressed his shock at the council’s decision.

He urged the council to resist being drawn into political conflicts that serve the interests of politicians rather than the people.

The senator clarified that his remarks towards Governor Mohammed were not meant as an insult but as a defence of President Bola Tinubu.

Umar said, “I was deeply shocked to receive a letter dated August 14, 2024, informing me of the Bauchi Emirate Council’s decision to withdraw my traditional title of Mujaddadin Bauchi. This decision, I understand, was based on allegations that I insulted Governor Bala Mohammed during a political rally.

“However, during a recent APC campaign event, I only responded to the governor’s disparaging comments about President Tinubu. I felt these comments were aimed at exposing the president to public ridicule and inciting discontent.

“In several widely circulated media clips, the governor’s rhetoric was confrontational, accusatory, abusive, and defamatory, using emotional language to falsely accuse President Tinubu of ‘lying to us,’ ‘deception,’ ‘causing pain,’ and ‘fostering anger and hunger.’

“These allegations by Governor Bala, a member of the PDP, against President Tinubu of the APC are politically motivated, baseless, and unsupported by evidence. In response, I pointed out that Governor Bala has received over N144 billion from the Federation Account in 2023 and over N47 billion so far this year yet the citizens of Bauchi continue to suffer from hunger and hardship.

“I emphasised that President Tinubu is committed to securing the nation, stabilising the economy, and promoting peaceful coexistence without dividing the nation, unlike Governor Bala. My remarks were made in defence of the president, a higher authority than the governor.

“I regret that the Bauchi Emirate Council made this decision without offering me a fair hearing. However, I accept their decision with humility and hope that, in time, Almighty Allah will send a leader to Bauchi State who will address these issues.

“I also advise the Bauchi Emirate Council to avoid being drawn into political disputes that serve the interests of a few rather than the welfare of the people. I pray for the long life and good health of the Emir of Bauchi, and his continued wise leadership of the Emirate.”