DSS grills ex-governor, others over comments against Buhari

The Department of State Security Services (DSS) on Wednesday questioned former Adamawa State Governor, Jibrilla Bindow over comments against President Muhammadu Buhari.

Bindow, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had convened a meeting of his allies as he prepares to join the 2023 governorship race.

He was defeated in 2019 by former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Bindow’s parley was attended by ex-Adamawa Speaker, Kabiru Mijinyawa; acting APC Chairman, Yola South, Suleiman Adamu.

Others were ex-Administrator, Yola West Development Area, Abubakar Sirimbai; former Commissioner, Aliyu Mustapha; former Bindow’s adviser, Yusha’u Adamu.

Sulaiman Adamu has been removed from his position after his comments leaked. The politician said he preferred Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo to Buhari.

“…Even Buhari himself, what is his impact on the party? Of what value is he to us? How I wish he had contracted coronavirus so that Osinbajo would take over,” Adamu said in Fulfulde.

Bindow told the DSS that he warned those at the meeting to stop making hateful remarks. The audio recorded by someone present has gone viral.

The ex-governor said Buhari is like a father to him and would not be a part of any plot against the President.

Noting that he almost walked out of the meeting, Bindow claimed that the circulating audio was forged by mischief-makers.

In a statement, the spokesman, Sadiq Abdullateef said Bindow was “invited” to the meeting because some APC members were aggrieved about the just-concluded primaries.

Abdullateef said his principal listened to complaints, and there was an unwarranted outburst from some attendees which he cautioned.

“People are using that outburst to malign the former governor. The said recording was doctored”, he noted.

“Some conversations were skipped. Senator Bindow cautioned the members making those unwarranted utterances thrice in the meeting and even threatened to walk out.

“His words were: Please, this is not right. You don’t wish anybody death because of political reasons, talk less of our leader and father. Let’s make progress please, or I am leaving”.

The aide said as part of plans to create problems, Bindow’s words of caution were not included in the controversial recording.