Shehu Buba, Senator representing Bauchi South, has denied allegations linking him to notorious bandit kingpins and sponsoring banditry in Northern Nigeria, describing the claims and viral videos circulating online as politically motivated.
The senator also rejected the viral videos circulating on social media that purportedly linked him to suspected bandits.
According to Buba, the videos were manipulated and presented out of context to create a misleading impression.
Buba, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Livestock and Animal Husbandry and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) governorship candidate in Bauchi State, said a fact-check of the videos established that they combined two unrelated clips.
Buba maintained that he has no connection with banditry and said the allegations should be properly investigated by the relevant security authorities.
He urged the public to exercise caution and verify information before sharing unverified claims on social media.
Buba said the individual shown in the first video spoke Fulfulde, while those in the second spoke English, stressing that the claim that the footage showed bandits visiting his residence is false.
In a statement titled: Setting the Record Straight: My Response to Fabricated Videos, False Allegations and a Sustained Campaign of Disinformation”, the senator said the first clip showed Kaduna-based Hajj returnees who visited his residence in 2023, while the second featured different individuals displaying passports.
He described the allegations as “false, malicious” and part of a coordinated campaign driven by financial motives and partisan interests rather than genuine concern for truth or accountability.
The senator challenged individuals or organizations with credible evidence of wrongdoing against him to submit such evidence to the appropriate authorities, insisting that he had nothing to hide or fear from any legitimate investigation.
He maintained that political disagreements should be settled through debates over policies, competence and leadership, rather than what he described as deliberate attempts to damage his reputation.
Buba’s comments come as the senator prepares to contest the Bauchi State governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), following his departure from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
-9News Nigeria.
