Shehu Buba, the Senator representing Bauchi State’s South Senatorial District, is going through intense scrutiny and backlash following allegations linking him to terror suspects in Northern Nigeria.
The State Security Service, SSS, is reportedly investigating his potential involvement with needed terrorists, whereas his constituents are mobilising for a historic recall.
Mr Buba, as soon as a revered determine in Bauchi politics, is below hearth after being related to Abubakar Idris, a identified terrorist arrested in August 2024.
Mr Idris’s arrest reportedly implicated Mr Buba, sparking outrage amongst his constituents, who’re demanding accountability and the senator’s removing.
A proper recall course of has been initiated, with registered voters in his district pushing for a referendum to take away him from workplace.
“This is a matter of national security. We cannot have someone with such affiliations in office,” one constituent declared, in response to experiences.
The recall motion is gaining momentum as extra individuals signal a petition to set off the method. If profitable, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, can be required to conduct a referendum, probably marking the primary time a sitting senator is eliminated by his constituents.
Mr Buba’s woes deepened with revelations about his origins. Despite claiming to signify Bauchi, investigations present he hails from Plateau State, elevating questions on his legitimacy.
An nameless group chief expressed frustration, stating, “We thought he was one of us, but he’s not even a Bauchi indigene.”
Mr Buba’s political rise has been controversial. After shifting to Bauchi in 2001, he constructed connections by household ties and political maneuvering, ultimately securing a place because the Caretaker Chairman of Toro Local Government.
His success in politics, together with his controversial senatorial nomination in 2022, has raised doubts about his integrity. Critics argue that his rise was influenced by highly effective figures, together with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Bauchi Governor Isa Yuguda.
Mr Buba’s latest appointment as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence has attracted fierce criticism.
Political analysts argue that it’s harmful to have somebody with such alleged hyperlinks to terrorism overseeing nationwide safety issues.
“This is a grave error,” one analyst acknowledged. “It’s a dangerous gamble to have him in charge of national security.”
With rising discontent, Mr Buba has been noticeably absent from public occasions, fueling hypothesis that he’s avoiding the backlash from his constituents.
His dwindling visibility solely provides to the stress, as many consider he’s distancing himself from the rising outrage.
