Fresh Ethnic Tensions as Social Media Posts Target Shehu Buba Critics and Fulani Political Influence

Fresh reactions to the allegations surrounding Senator Shehu Buba have triggered a heated debate on social media, with some commentators accusing the senator’s critics of pursuing an agenda against him and others calling for a political realignment between Hausa communities, southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.

The controversy follows renewed allegations linking the Bauchi South senator to suspected bandits. Buba has repeatedly denied the allegations, describing the claims and viral videos circulating online as part of a campaign of disinformation and character assassination.

In a post published on September 6, the social-media account Arewa Source alleged that the real name of the content creator known as D English Alhaji was Ezechukwu Okonko.

The post further alleged that he was a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and accused him of promoting what it described as a “Christian genocide propaganda” narrative.

Arewa Source also alleged that Okonko had been contracted to damage the reputation of Senator Shehu Buba, as well as that of the Fulani ethnic group.

However, the allegations contained in the post have not been independently established. No credible evidence was presented in the post to substantiate the claims about Okonko's identity, alleged IPOB membership or alleged contract.

The claims therefore remain social-media allegations and should not be treated as established facts.

The latest development comes amid renewed scrutiny of Senator Shehu Buba following claims made by a man identified as Hassan during an interview with D English Alhaji.

Hassan alleged that Buba was among politicians supporting banditry and further claimed that individuals linked to wanted bandit leader Dogo Gide were brought to Abuja for specialised training through an aide of the senator.

Buba has strongly rejected the allegations. The senator said some of the viral footage being circulated as evidence against him had been misleadingly presented. He explained that one clip showed Hajj returnees who visited his residence in 2023, while another showed unrelated individuals displaying passports.

He maintained that the two videos had been combined to create a false impression that suspected bandits had visited his home.

Buba has also said that some people connected to the controversy were facing criminal proceedings, including allegations of cyberstalking, criminal defamation, conspiracy, advance-fee fraud and extortion.

Separately, social-media commentator Habibu Yusuf Sodangi published a lengthy message calling on southern politicians and communities to reconsider political alliances with Fulani politicians.

Sodangi argued that Hausa people should work more closely with southern and Middle Belt communities to challenge what he described as “Fulani oligarchy, hegemony, subjugation, terrorism, and banditry.”

He also apologised to Nigerians on behalf of what he described as the Hausa people for what he characterised as past cooperation with Fulani political and religious interests.

However, Sodangi stressed that his message was not intended as a call for hatred against any ethnic group, but rather as an appeal for unity, justice, accountability and democratic freedom.

The comments have introduced an ethnic dimension into an already politically charged controversy.

While the posts make broad claims about Hausa and Fulani political relationships, such statements represent the views of individual commentators and should not be interpreted as speaking for all Hausa or Fulani Nigerians.

Nigeria's political landscape has historically involved alliances that cut across ethnic, religious and regional lines, with political interests frequently shifting ahead of major elections.

The renewed debate also comes as politicians and political groups begin positioning themselves for the 2027 general elections, increasing the likelihood that controversies surrounding prominent politicians will become intertwined with broader arguments about regional representation and political power.

The Shehu Buba controversy has continued to generate competing narratives, with allegations on one side and categorical denials on the other.

Buba has challenged anyone with credible evidence linking him to criminal activity to submit it to the appropriate security agencies rather than relying solely on social-media publications.

As the dispute continues, the emergence of unverified allegations against individuals involved in the controversy, alongside increasingly charged ethnic and political rhetoric, has made independent verification particularly important.

For now, the claims against D English Alhaji and the allegations linking Buba to criminal networks remain contested, while the wider debate has expanded into a much broader argument over ethnicity, political alliances, accountability and power ahead of 2027.