By Monday Danladi
The Bauchi Youth Discussion Circle (BYDC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct relevant security agencies to investigate allegations of terrorism financing reportedly made against Senator Shehu Umar Buba, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District.
The group made the call on Friday during a press conference addressed by its Chairman, Prince Mohammed Sani Hassan, in Bauchi.
Hassan urged the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to direct the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct a thorough, impartial and professional investigation into the allegations.
He stressed that the group was not declaring Senator Shehu Buba guilty, but insisted that allegations relating to national security should not be dismissed as political propaganda or social media speculation.
“We are not declaring Senator Shehu Buba Umar guilty, and we are not asking anyone to convict him through the media. We believe that every Nigerian is entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process.
“However, allegations touching on national security cannot simply be ignored,” he said.
According to Hassan, recent allegations reportedly made by one Hassan, who is said to have left Nigeria, had generated concern among residents of Bauchi State and Nigerians generally.
He said the appropriate authorities should establish whether the allegations were true or false, the evidence supporting them, the identity and motive of those behind the allegations, and whether there were genuine national-security implications.
He added that if the allegations were found to be false, the authorities should determine who was responsible for spreading potentially dangerous misinformation, while any established wrongdoing should be dealt with in accordance with the law.
“These questions should be answered through investigation, not through political arguments on social media,” Hassan said.
The group also appealed to the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to take lawful steps to ensure the safety of the person reportedly making the allegations and, where necessary, facilitate his return to Nigeria through lawful means so that he could make a formal statement and present whatever evidence he claimed to possess.
Hassan said such a process would enable the authorities to determine the credibility of the allegations.
“If his allegations are genuine, he should have the opportunity to present his evidence before competent authorities. If the allegations are false or deliberately fabricated, the appropriate authorities should also determine the circumstances and take whatever action the law permits,” he said.
The BYDC chairman maintained that the demand for an investigation should not be interpreted as an attack on Senator Shehu Buba.
He said that if a credible investigation established that the senator had committed any offence, he should face the law irrespective of his political position, status or connections.
“No politician should be above the law,” he said.
At the same time, Hassan said Senator Shehu Buba should not be condemned or persecuted if the allegations were found to be baseless.
“If the investigation establishes that the allegations are baseless, Senator Shehu Buba should not be condemned or persecuted based merely on accusations. That is what justice means,” he added.
The group further warned against politicising national security issues, arguing that Nigeria's security challenges should not be turned into instruments of political competition.
“Security is not APC. Security is not PDP. Security is not Labour. Security is not ADC. Security belongs to every Nigerian,” Hassan said.
He urged the Federal Government to demonstrate that serious security allegations would be treated objectively, irrespective of the political affiliation or status of anyone involved.
Hassan also linked the matter to public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
He cautioned that if citizens believed that serious security allegations were being ignored or treated as political matters, it could affect confidence in the government and have political consequences.
“This is not a threat. It is a democratic reality. Governments derive legitimacy from the confidence of the people,” he said.
The BYDC chairman therefore called for the alleged accuser to be encouraged and assisted through lawful means to return safely to Nigeria and provide a formal statement and evidence to the appropriate authorities.
He also urged that Senator Shehu Buba be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations through due process.
“We are not here to convict anyone. We are here to demand truth, justice, accountability and national security.
“Nigeria cannot afford to ignore serious allegations involving security. At the same time, Nigeria cannot afford to destroy the reputation of a citizen through unverified accusations.
“The only responsible path is investigation, evidence and justice,” Hassan said.
He appealed to President Tinubu and the relevant security agencies to act promptly and professionally, saying the Nigerian people deserved to know the truth about the allegations.
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