By Umar Aliyu, Kaduna
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Kaduna State, the Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Abubakar Buba, has been accused of prematurely endorsing Salisu, an aspiring candidate for the Lere West State House of Assembly seat, during what was meant to be a non-partisan gathering focused on sober reflection.
The incident, captured in a widely circulated photograph showing Buba raising Salisu’s hand, has ignited fierce debate about loyalty, ethnic tensions, and the fragility of Governor Uba Sani’s administration just two years into his term.
The event in question was ostensibly organized to commemorate decades of neglect in Lere Local Government Area, while highlighting the tangible gains of democracy and development under Governor Uba Sani’s leadership.
Attendees gathered to discuss inclusive governance, infrastructure improvements, and the equitable distribution of democratic dividends—far removed from the rough-and-tumble of electoral politics. Yet, Buba’s gesture has been interpreted by many as a blatant injection of partisanship, raising eyebrows about his true intentions and allegiances.
Critics, including local stakeholders and political analysts, argue that Buba’s actions betray a deeper agenda to undermine the goodwill Governor Sani has painstakingly built across Kaduna’s diverse ethnic and geographic divides.
”This is not just unwise; it’s a calculated sabotage,” said one anonymous community leader from Lere West, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter.
”Buba has long been whispered about as a ‘snitch’—a mole loyal to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, stitching threads of discord to unravel Uba Sani’s dreams. His loyalty to El-Rufai, who handpicked Sani as his successor, now seems to be weaponized against the very man he once supported.”
The controversy underscores perceived ethnic biases in Buba’s approach, with detractors pointing to his alleged disdain for non-Hausa ethnic groups, which constitute approximately 55% of Lere Local Government’s population.
”This hatred is a clear indicator that he’s a cankerworm within the family fabric, eating away at the unity Sani is fostering,” the source added. Lere West, a constituency plagued by years of “misplaced representation,” has long called for a leader capable of bridging divides and delivering development. Buba’s endorsement of Salisu—a figure seen by some as aligned with El-Rufai’s old guard—has fueled fears that it prioritizes factional interests over broader inclusion.
In an era where politics is often described as a “game of numbers” devoid of morals, Buba’s intellectual and calculative nature makes his early maneuvering all the more alarming.
As an appointee eyeing his own elective office in 2027, the commissioner is accused of throwing his weight behind “lesser ambitions” at a time when demands for moderate political inclusion in the area are at their peak.
”There’s absolutely nothing to think about a mere picture or the message it sends,” one observer noted wryly. “But politics can explode when overstretched. Isn’t it too early, especially now?”
Defenders of Buba, however, paint a different picture, suggesting he was “boxed into a corner” by Salisu’s supporters and the aspirant himself during the event.
They describe the gesture as mere “parallel politics”—a harmless nod allowed in the fluid world of Nigerian campaigning. “Be rest assured that Mr. Commissioner can clearly distinguish who is best, with the capacity to represent Lere West after a decade of neglect,” one supporter argued. “A picture speaks, but this speaks way less.”
Yet, the incident serves as a stark warning to Governor Uba Sani: Enemies within are often more dangerous than those outside. Political observers urge the governor to act swiftly in identifying and addressing such internal threats to safeguard his vision of good governance.
”All we are asking is for someone with the capacity to develop Kaduna State and bring the dividends of democracy to the people of Lere West,” the anonymous leader concluded. “Uba must carry everyone on board for his boat of good governance to paddle us to safer grounds.”
As Kaduna continues to bask in the environmental accolades under Buba’s ministry—including plans to plant 10 million trees and recent rankings as the cleanest state in the North-West—the political undercurrents threaten to tarnish these achievements. Will Governor Sani address this rift, or will it fester into a larger crisis ahead of 2027? For now, the photograph stands as a symbol of division in a state striving for unity.
Betrayal in broad daylight: Kaduna Commissioner’s premature political gambit threatens Gov Sani’s unity agenda in Lere West
