The governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Bauchi State, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar and Senator Shehu Buba Umar, have engaged in a war of words over comments questioning the senator’s source of funds.
The disagreement followed remarks reportedly made by Abubakar during a political meeting, where he allegedly said the source of funds being used by Shehu Buba for various activities was “questionable.”
The comments have since generated reactions on social media.
Responding, Buba, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District in the Senate, petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, accusing the APC governorship candidate of making defamatory statements capable of damaging his reputation.
In the six-page petition filed through his lawyers, the senator urged the police to invite Abubakar for questioning over what he described as “damaging, defamatory, injurious, libellous and inflammatory remarks.”
The petition read in part, “The suspect made several seriously damaging, defamatory, injurious, libellous and inflammatory remarks concerning our client, including the statement that our client’s source of wealth with which he has been doing so many things is questionable.”
The lawyers argued that the alleged remarks amounted to “a deliberate, calculated and malicious act of cyberstalking and cyber-defamation” intended to portray the senator in a bad light ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
They gave the police seven days to invite Abubakar for questioning or face legal action.
Reacting to the petition, the secretary of Abubakar’s legal team, Muhammad AlKasim, said the APC candidate merely exercised his constitutional right to freedom of expression by demanding transparency.
He cited Sections 39 and 45 of the Constitution, saying, “Every Nigerian has the right to express their opinion, thoughts and feelings without any interference.”
AlKasim expressed confidence that the police would handle the matter professionally, urging Abubakar’s supporters to remain calm while the complaint is being investigated.
He also dismissed the allegation of defamation, arguing that Abubakar did not specifically mention Senator Shehu Buba Umar.
“The statement made by Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, SAN, is clear. He mentioned ‘Shehu’, which must be accompanied by a second name. One cannot claim a single name for him. Mentioning ‘Shehu’ cannot constitute defamation because the name Shehu is not specific. There are many Shehus. Why is he the one petitioning?” AlKasim said.
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