Distinguished Senator Shehu B. Umar is a rising star in Bauchi politics who’s increasingly mentioned as the future governor. A generous, empathetic, effective and down-to-earth politician, he’s become a thorn in the flesh of Governor Bala Mohammed and his lickspittles. Their envious hearts are afflicted with pull-him-down syndrome. This explains Abubakar Billy’s caustic philippic published in the Daily Trust on Nov. 25, 2024, as captioned above.
The brutal killings that happened at Zaranda, where innocent citizens were gun down by trigger-happy PDP vigilantes and the subsequent condolence visit to the town by Senator Shehu were well covered by the media.
Bala’s vigilantes demanded bribe, when they were denied, they killed. Daily Post of Sept. 10, 2024 reported it as follows: “two people who were said to be engaged in charcoal business were killed by the hunters because they refused to ‘settle’ them as they tried to ferry their charcoal from the bush to the village.”
Similarly, Daily Trust headline of Sept.15, 2024 perfectly summed up the condolence visit of Senator Shehu to Zaranda thusly: “Senator Buba seeks justice for slain Bauchi charcoal sellers.”
Clearly, Shehu Mujaddadi only requested a thorough investigation of the fatal incident, by the Police, in order to bring the murderers of his constituents to account according to the Daily Trust.
Sadly, Billy’s piece maliciously mischaracterized Senator Shehu’s calls for justice to the victims and legitimate demand for accountability on the part of the marauding murderers as “unsavoury,” interference and “opposition” —whatever that means.
It’s trite; security is everybody’s business. But Billy seems to say Shehu shouldn’t be concerned with the security of lives of his constituents because Bauchi “Sate security is the Governor’s responsibility.” However, Bala, Billy’s puppeteer, thinks security is everybody’s business, including Senator Shehu’s. Bala said that much when the members of Air War Course duty-toured Bauchi last April as reported by the Tribune. Bala had earlier aired the same sentiment at Nabordo, Senator Shehu’s village, in March when he said: “Remember security is everybody’s business… I am calling on our traditional rulers and all the leaders across the length and breadth of our social strata to open their eyes.” (Daily Post).
Billy’s more catholic than the pope.
Oversight of the Nigerian Police, DSS and other security agencies are part of the constitutional duties of Senator Shehu and the Senate. Only a nincompoop would have a bone to pick with a senator when he demands accountability from the Police.
There’s nothing political or opportunistic about calling out this lawless vigilantes. It’s not the first or the only time that they brutally murdered innocent citizens. They murdered Muhammad Ghani, the son of Danjikan Bauchi, District Head of Miri, in cold blood. (Daily Trust, April 15, 2024).
Bala’s vigilantes also brutally murdered Abdulsalam Ibrahim, a 21 year old, undergraduate student of Saadu Zungur University, Bauchi. (Wikkitimes)
Murdering citizens, especially members of the opposition, seems to be an acknowledged privilege of governor Bala according to Billy. Hear him: “Governor has the authority to neutralize political opposition.” What?
Is Billy really threatening death for Senator Shehu? Does Bala has the authority to neutralize Senator Shehu or any other “political opposition”?
Nobody, not even the president and C-in-C has any authority to neutralize anybody including “political opposition.”
Billy, Bala and their vigilantes are the real threat to Bauchi’s security and stability. And if anything happens to Senator Shehu we know who to hold responsible.
Lastly, Senator Shehu shouldn’t be cowed or dissuaded by Billy’s vituperation. He must continue to fight for justice for his Zaranda constituents and all the victims of the extra judicial killings of the violent vigilantes. There is no peace without justice.
Our security and the security of Bauchi South Senatorial District concern Senator Shehu and everyone of us. Only Billy in his infinite wisdom thinks that the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence has no business in our security.
Instead of chasing shadows Billy should do a better job by advising governor Bala to rein in his lawless vigilantes who’re killing and maiming innocent citizens. To start spending the security votes judiciously, effectively and transparently. The ₦31.7 billion Bala spent in security votes so far this year and the over ₦67 billion he spent in the last three years need to be duly accounted for. Bala should have invested such sums on education, healthcare, welfare, job creation and human capital development. This will guarantee our security and the stability of our dear state.
For Senator Shehu’s traducers suffering from pull-him-down disease, they have a lesson in history. Just like Fir’auna futilely toiled to tame the rise of Musa (as) their feeble efforts will meet the same fate. Or like we say in Hausa: Zakaran da Allah ya nufe shi da cara, ko ana muzuru ana shawo, sai ya yi.
Saadu is the Chairman of APC Publicity Committee Bauchi State.
