Arewa Youths Rally Behind Senator Shehu Umar Buba, Praise His Peace-Building Approach
By Aluta News
August 16, 2025
The Arewa Progressive Youth Forum (APYF) has thrown its weight behind Senator Shehu Umar Buba, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence. The youth group hailed Senator Buba’s innovative approach to addressing insecurity in Nigeria, describing him as a rare voice of reason in the country’s fight against terrorism and banditry.
According to a statement jointly signed by APYF President, Mallam Yusuf Adamu, and Secretary, Kabir Umar Faskari, Senator Buba’s leadership style is marked by “fearless leadership” and “unconventional courage.” The senator’s approach to insecurity goes beyond traditional military might, incorporating dialogue, economic empowerment, and community reconciliation.
The Arewa Progressive Youth Forum commended Senator Buba for his commitment to finding sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges. By engaging with local communities and promoting economic development, Senator Buba’s approach aims to address the root causes of insecurity and foster a more peaceful and stable environment.
The group noted that while many leaders insist on deploying more weapons and troops, Senator Buba has consistently argued that banditry and insurgency cannot be defeated by force alone. According to him, peace will only be achieved when poverty, grievances, and deep social fractures that fuel violence are addressed.
The APYF stressed that Senator Buba’s approach has already shown results, particularly in conflict-prone communities where dialogue between farmers and herders has reduced clashes, restored markets, and rebuilt trust among neighbours. Local surveillance networks established under his watch now supply intelligence to security agencies, making communities partners in peace rather than perpetual victims of violence.
“He is not soft; he is strategic,” the statement read. “Senator Buba understands that peace is not declared at the end of a gun barrel it is built through trust, fairness, and shared prosperity.”
The forum also dismissed recent allegations linking the Senator to bandit kingpin Bello Turji as baseless and politically motivated. It argued that history has shown peace processes often require engaging with those at the centre of conflict, citing South Africa’s negotiations with the ANC and Nigeria’s Niger Delta amnesty programme as examples.
“Engagement is not endorsement,” APYF stressed. “It is about opening a pathway for disarmament and reconciliation. Those attacking Senator Buba for his approach are either ignorant of history or driven by political mischief.”
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria has also defended the Senator, while grassroots organisations have pointed to his developmental projects from boreholes and electrification to rural roads and agricultural support as proof of his commitment to making violence unattractive.
Observers believe the allegations are timed to weaken Senator Buba’s growing influence in shaping Nigeria’s security policy. The APYF warned that such attacks are not just an attempt to discredit one man but also a sabotage of Nigeria’s best chance at lasting peace.
“Senator Buba represents a new kind of Nigerian leader,” the youth group said. “He is tough when required, conciliatory when possible, and unafraid to take unpopular decisions if they bring us closer to peace. Silencing such leaders is a disservice to the nation.”
Security analysts agree that Nigeria’s complex conflicts require both kinetic and non-kinetic responses. Senator Buba’s model blending dialogue with decisive force offers a middle ground that could transform restive communities into active defenders of peace.
The APYF’s endorsement is a significant boost to Senator Buba’s efforts to tackle insecurity in Nigeria. As the country continues to grapple with the challenges of terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, Senator Buba’s peace-building approach offers a glimmer of hope for a more secure future.