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Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has urged Nigerians to resist attempts to vilify Senator Shehu Umar Buba, saying the Bauchi South senator should not be made a victim of political blackmail.
Gumi made the call in a Facebook post on Sunday, amid renewed allegations linking the senator to banditry and terrorism.
Gumi said, “The distinguished Senator Shehu Buba Umar should not be made a victim of political blackmail.
“As a civilian, he has consistently worked to support security efforts against banditry and deserves fair and objective assessment.
“Political differences are legitimate, but deliberately vilifying a man who has contributed to the fight against insecurity for cheap political advantage is both unfair and irresponsible.
“If you cannot commend his efforts, at least do not distort them for political gain.”
Buba, who is the 2027 governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has faced allegations of links to bandit kingpins since 2024.
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The latest controversy followed allegations by a whistleblower identified as Hassan Saleh Hussein, also referred to simply as Hassan or Hassan Fulani, and viral videos circulated by a content creator known as ‘D English Alhaji’ claiming that suspected bandit leaders had visited the senator’s residence.
A fact-check by PRNigeria found the video combined unrelated footage, including pilgrims who visited Buba in 2023.
The senator, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, has repeatedly denied the claims, describing them as “fabricated and politically motivated”.
He said the campaign intensified after he left the APC for the PRP and emerged as the party’s governorship candidate.
“Political disagreements should not become an excuse for blackmail, falsehoods and attempts to damage a person’s integrity, faith, culture and reputation,” the senator said in a recent statement.
He added that he has taken legal action in courts in Nigeria and Niamey, Niger Republic.
