Sen. Shehu Umar has expressed shock over the decision of Bauchi Emirate to withdraw his chieftaincy title of “Mujaddadin” Bauchi for allegedly insulting Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state.
Umar in a letter addressed to the Emirate on Thursday said,:”while I have accepted the decision of the Emirate, I adheres to a policy of constructive criticism and refrain from use of abusive language”.
Umar said his response to Gov Bala’s disparaging comments on President Bola Tinubu was aimed at defending the Nigerian leader against what he perceived as calculated attempts to tarnish his reputation and sow public discord .
He said the governor’s comments was confrontational, accusatory, abusive, and defamatory.
Umar is the Chairman,Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence .
“I received with utter shock a letter dated August 14, informing me of the Bauchi Emirate Council’s decision to withdraw my traditional title of Mujaddadin Bauchi.
“This decision was made over an allegation that I insulted Gov. Bala Mohammed during a rally.
“Meanwhile, I must state that during the recent APC campaign flag-off, I responded to the Governor’s disparaging comments on President Bola Tinubu , which I felt were calculated to expose the President to public contempt and disaffection.
“In some of the multimedia contents that have gone viral, the Governor’s rhetoric is confrontational, accusatory, abusive and defamatory.
“Some of the emotive language including President Tinubu of “lying to us,” “deception,” “causing pain,” “anger and hunger” to appeal to emotions.
“While the allegations by Gov Bala of PDP against President Tinubu of APC are politically motivated, most of them are baseless, unsubstantiated, lacking concrete data and evidence and barefaced falsehood.
“In my response to Gov.Bala’s accusation against President Tinubu, I pointed out the following:
“I refuted his claim that the Tinubu-led administration abused the office, instead, I accused the Governor of abusing people in Bauchi state.
“I disclosed that Gov Bala received over N144 billion from the Federation Account in 2023 and over N47 billion from January to date, with a projected N195 billion by the end of 2024.
“I asked him to justify how he manages the treasury as citizens are crying of hunger.
“I added that President Tinubu was doing all that is possible to secure the nation, stabilise the economy and ensure peaceful coexistence without polarizng the polity unlike Gov. Bala.
“My remarks were well-intentioned and in defense of a higher authority than a Governor’s.
“I register my sympathy with the Bauchi Emirate Council for hastily drawing a conclusion on this matter without affording me fair hearing.
“I accept their decision in good fate, hoping that in due time, Almighty Allah will send a messiah to Bauchi state to correct this situation.
“I advise the Bauchi Emirate Council to resist any attempt by political actors to drag it into the political arena, serving their selfish interests.
“I pray for the long reign of the Emir of Bauchi in sound health, effectively piloting the affairs of his Emirate.”