BUNUNU, Bauchi State – In a move that has both inspired his base and fuelled intense national scrutiny, Senator Shehu Buba Umar officially commissioned the ₦200 million Imam Shu’aibu Yisin Council of Ulamah Islamic Centre this weekend. While the Senator pledged to crush the rising tide of banditry in Bauchi South, his reputation is currently being battered by a series of high-level allegations.
The ₦200 Million “Fortress for Peace”
The sprawling centre, located in the heart of Bununu, was fully funded by the Senator to serve as a platform for religious dialogue and unity. The facility includes:
- 12 administrative offices and a guest house.
- Dedicated departments for inheritance matters and reconciliation.
- A ₦20 million additional donation made on-site to the permanent site of the College of Health Sciences and Technology.
The “Security Sacking” and Terror Allegations
Despite the philanthropy, Senator Buba is navigating a political minefield following his controversial removal as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.
- Committee Ousting: The Senate leadership reportedly stripped Buba of his sensitive security role following a wave of “integrity concerns,” reassigning him to the Committee on Livestock and Animal Husbandry.
- The Hajj Scandal: Many Nigerians remain outraged over allegations that the Senator sponsored Abubakar Idris—a notorious bandit arrested by the DSS—on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
- Alleged Ties: Critics have pointed to an “unholy closeness” between the Senator and wanted bandit leaders, with some even calling for a full criminal investigation into his activities in the Alkaleri and Tafawa Balewa axis.
A Defiant Rebuttal
Senator Buba has consistently slammed these accusations as “baseless, fabricated, and malicious.” He maintains that the individuals he sponsors for Hajj are nominated by community elders and religious leaders, not by his personal selection. His aides further claim that the smear campaign is a “political pull-down tactic” orchestrated by rivals.
As the Senator vows to use his new Islamic centre to “defeat banditry,” many Nigerians remain sceptical. The contrast between his public philanthropic efforts and the security reports allegedly monitoring him for potential ties to terror groups has turned his tenure into one of the most polarizing in current Nigerian politics.
