Bauchi Emirate had prior to this withdrawn the traditional title of a former Bauchi lawmaker, Salisu Zakari, after criticizing Gov Mohammed
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Bauchi Emirate Council has withdrawn the traditional title of ‘Majidadin Bauchi’ from Senator Shehu Buba Umar for allegedly ‘insulting and criticizing’ the State Governor, Bala Mohammed.
Umar, an All Progressive Congress (APC) Senator representing Bauchi South senatorial district in the National Assembly at a press briefing held last week, accused Governor Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of diverting palliative items provided by the APC-led federal government.
The federal lawmaker was reacting to the governor’s criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies.
He claimed that essential supplies like rice, corn, and fertilizer meant to alleviate economic hardship in the state were allegedly sold by the state government instead of being distributed to the people.
Umar said, “The hardship is caused by the PDP. If anyone says it is the policy of the All Progressives Congress, that is very misleading and fictitious. It is fake and not true. The Federal Government, under the leadership of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, is doing everything possible to rebuild this country.
“I can tell you for free that the Bauchi State government is not even acknowledging and appreciating all the interventions being given by the Federal Government.
“For example, let me tell you about the recent interventions of the 20 trucks of rice that were given to Bauchi State to distribute to the populace in the state. Where are the bags of rice?”
However, in the letter dated August 14, 2024 and signed by Nasiru Musa on behalf of the Emirate Council’s secretary, the Council stated that the title withdrawal followed a council meeting held on Wednesday, where Senator Umar’s alleged misconduct was discussed.
The council subsequently resolved to remove him from his traditional role within the emirate, stating that such behavior contradicted the values and traditions upheld by the Bauchi Emirate.
This is not the first time the Emirate will withdraw the traditional title of a politician.
In November 2023, a former Bauchi lawmaker, Salisu Zakari, was stripped of his title after he made a statement critical of an 11-kilometre road valued at N10. 3 billion the state government was planning to construct from Ningi to Gudduba.