By Monday Danladi
A group under the auspices of the Concerned Bauchi All Progressives Congress (APC) Youths Forum has called on all governorship candidates in Bauchi State to be transparent and accountable about their business interests and sources of wealth, saying the electorate deserves to make informed choices ahead of the election.
The Chairman of the Forum, Prince Mohammed Sani Hassan, made the call during a press briefing with journalists in Bauchi on Monday evening.
He reaffirmed the group’s commitment to the unity, peace, progress and sustainable development of Bauchi State, while urging political actors to conduct themselves responsibly throughout the electoral process.
“Our attention has been drawn to recent public comments and media discussions concerning the business interests of the PRP governorship candidate, Senator Shehu Umar Buba. During the public discourse, an aide to the senator reportedly stated that he is involved in the mining business, while the former Governor of Bauchi State and APC governorship candidate, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar (SAN), raised questions regarding the source of the senator’s wealth and business activities,” Hassan said.
He maintained that such issues were legitimate subjects of public scrutiny.
“As a forum committed to accountability and good governance, we believe these are legitimate questions that deserve clear and transparent answers. Anyone seeking the mandate of the people to govern Bauchi State should be open about their business interests and sources of wealth. Transparency builds public confidence and strengthens democracy,” he stated.
Hassan urged Senator Shehu Umar Buba to provide further clarification on the nature of his mining business, including the names of companies with which he is associated, to enable the electorate to make informed decisions.
He also stressed that the next governor of Bauchi State must be committed to ensuring security, peace and sustainable development.
“While mining is a lawful economic activity when properly regulated, we are concerned about the security challenges associated with illegal mining in several parts of Nigeria,” he said.
He cited Zamfara State as an example where illegal mining has been linked to insecurity and warned that Bauchi must not experience similar challenges.
“For this reason, we believe that the people of Bauchi State should carefully consider the background, priorities and business interests of every governorship candidate,” he added.
According to him, Bauchi deserves a governor whose primary focus will be the protection of lives and property, economic growth and the overall welfare of the people.
He therefore urged voters to critically assess the integrity, competence, leadership records and business interests of all governorship candidates before casting their ballots.
“Every candidate should be held to the same standard of transparency and accountability,” he said.
Hassan reiterated the forum’s commitment to promoting issue-based politics, peaceful campaigns and democratic values, while calling on all political actors to place the interests of Bauchi State above personal ambitions.
