From: Lydia Zakka
The Bauchi State Youth Democratic Assembly has voiced strong criticisms against Senator Buba Shehu over his recent claim of feeding 1,400 inmates in Bauchi. The group has accused the lawmaker of using the initiative to further his personal and political interests, raising concerns about the transparency of the senator’s actions and the sources of the funding.
In a statement issued to the press, the group expressed alarm at the senator’s feeding program, citing multiple security-related allegations that have surfaced in connection with Senator Shehu. These include accusations that the senator may have sympathized with bandits and recent revelations about his alleged links to a bandit sponsor arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) during the Hajj.
The group's spokesman questioned the motives behind the feeding program, stating, “Senator Buba Shehu’s feeding of 1,400 inmates raises serious concerns. Is he suggesting that the Tinubu-led administration has failed to meet its responsibilities in feeding prisoners, including those in Bauchi?” The statement further called for an explanation as to why the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) has not fulfilled its duties in providing adequate food for inmates, prompting the lawmaker to take matters into his own hands.
Another key issue raised by the youth group is the allocation of federal funds intended for the welfare of prisoners. They pointed to the feeding of inmates during Ramadan, when food supplies are particularly crucial, questioning whether federal resources for prison welfare have been misappropriated or are not being properly distributed. The group’s spokesman said, “It seems that resources designated for prisoners’ welfare are either not reaching those in need or are being misused.”
The group also suggested that the feeding initiative may have political motives, questioning the timing and purpose behind the gesture. They asked, “Even if this initiative is politically motivated, we must ask: how does it benefit the broader electorate in Bauchi South, where many constituents remain underserved?” They further pointed out that there are no polling units within the correctional facilities, making it unlikely that feeding inmates would result in direct political gains for the senator.
Additionally, the youth group has demanded that Senator Shehu clarify which 1,400 inmates were selected to receive food. They urged the lawmaker to provide an explanation for why these particular individuals were chosen while other constituencies were left without similar assistance.
As the controversy surrounding the feeding initiative unfolds, citizens and political analysts are calling for greater transparency and accountability from the senator. Senator Shehu has not yet publicly responded to the accusations, but the issue is quickly gaining attention as it highlights broader concerns about the state of the Nigerian correctional system.
The incident also sheds light on the ongoing struggles faced by the Nigerian Correctional Service, which has long grappled with overcrowding, underfunding, and poor living conditions for inmates. Many are questioning whether the actions of individual lawmakers like Senator Shehu are serving the best interests of their constituents or whether they are simply using the situation to advance personal political agendas.
With public scrutiny intensifying, it remains to be seen whether this incident will lead to further investigations or reforms within the Nigerian Correctional Service, or if the controversy will die down as the political landscape in Bauchi continues to evolve.
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