By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has condemned the recent threats to the life of the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, describing it as a “national embarrassment.”
He said he was disappointed and frustrated that the death threats came from someone from Bauchi State.
NATIONAL ACCORD reports that a viral video of an Islamic Cleric trended some few weeks ago where he (the Cleric) declared that Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu deserves to die for being a pastor.
In the viral video, the cleric said that the Muslim/Muslim ticket that brought President Bola Tinubu to power was a scam.
The cleric, whose identity has not yet been disclosed therefore, said that Mrs. Tinubu, “being an infidel should be put to death as provided for in the Quran”.
He said: “Now, Tinubu, his wife is an infidel. As an infidel, she is a leader among the infidels.
“God’s judgement says she must be killed. She’s a pastor… a leader of infidels (Christians); Allah says they must be killed…,” he said.
Recall that a former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, condemned the Cleric for calling for the killing of the President’s wife.
Reacting in a post on his verified handle on X, formerly Twitter, the Senator wrote: “Criticising the Government and its policies is within the ambit of democratic rights; but Calling for the killing of Senator Remi Tinubu by the religious cleric is unacceptable and utterly condemnable.”
But reacting on the incident while speaking when the First Lady paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Bauchi during a one day official visit to Bauchi on Tuesday, the Governor, said it is a national embarrassment that someone from his State would threaten the wife of the President.
He therefore, apologized to her over the incident even as he vowed that the Cleric will not be spared but will be dealt with appropriately.
Mohammed said: “Your Excellency, you have distinguished yourself not only as a distinguished Senator but as a politician that has opened the new frontier of politics and politicking. Your renewed hope is being given as hope because you have set aside all the differences of politics and partisanship.
“And of course, I am aware of some of the challenges and threats to your life and person by somebody from this State. I was so disappointed and frustrated, but you made my day as a courageous mother, you decided to come to Bauchi.
“Your Royal Highness, this distinguished lady has shown that Nigeria is really working and that Nigeria is one and nobody can play politics with our lives. We are very grateful, your life is more important to us than our own lives, nothing will happen to you.”
He vowed that, “and that renegade, we will deal with him and Allah deal with him, by the grace of God. On behalf of their Royal Highnesses and the people of Bauchi, we apologize for that national embarrassment, it will not happen again.”
In her speech before the Emir shortly after the Governor finished making his remarks, the First Lady said she was not afraid to die.
According to her, after reaching 60 years of age, she shouldn’t be afraid of death.
She said: “I want to thank His Excellency (Bauchi Governor), he keeps assuring me that I am safe but I want to say that I am too old to be afraid. If God has granted me over 60 years on earth, I shouldn’t be afraid of death.
“I thank God that you encouraged me to come. Nigeria belongs to all of us and this is the time for us to unite more than ever before.”
In his response, the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwan Adamu, dispelled insinuations that Bauchi was not a peaceful State.
He described her visit to the State as a powerful symbol of the peace and progress of Bauchi State.
“I’ll like to use this opportunity to dispel any misconception about insecurity in Bauchi State. Our State is and has always been a State of peace and harmony.
“Our people are known for their tolerance and understanding, mutual respect and cooperation. Isolated incidents do not define us. We are resilient people and we are committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property of residents and visitors alike,” he said.
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