The People’s Redemption Party (PRP) has cautioned those linking its governorship candidate in Bauchi State, Senator Shehu Buba, with bandits and kidnappers-related activities, saying the party has full confidence in its candidate going into next year’s general election.
A statement titled “Unwarranted Attacks and Allegations on PRP Gubernatorial Candidate in Bauchi State, Senator Shehu Buba,” signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, and made available to Tribune Online on Saturday in Abuja, said the campaign of calumny was clearly the handiwork of those who are threatened by Senator Buba’s growing popularity in the state as elections draw closer.
The statement called on security agencies to apply the full weight of the law on those behind the allegation, in accordance with Section 127(c) of the Electoral Act 2026, through payment of ₦200,000 or imprisonment for a term of six months, or both.
The statement read, “The People’s Redemption Party (PRP) has resisted the temptation to comment on escalating, damaging comments linking our gubernatorial candidate with activities related to bandits and kidnappers. The party had resisted the temptation to join issues with those churning out these mischievous allegations out of concern that it would only provide oxygen to the mischief. It was also important to establish the veracity of these allegations against a member of our party who, to the best of our knowledge, deserved the trust and confidence that he will represent the PRP with integrity and high levels of responsibility.
“The PRP is now convinced that there is a campaign to damage our candidate with tissues of lies and unrestrained mischief. We now believe that these allegations are handiwork of those who are threatened by our candidate’s popularity and his prospects for being voted the next Governor of Bauchi State. These lies must stop. Those who have evidence of any criminal activity against him should provide such evidence to the authorities who should treat them as the law provides.”
It added, “The Electoral Act 2026 states in Section 127 (c) states, “Any person who before or during an election publishes any statement as to the personal character or conduct of a candidate calculated to prejudice the chance of election of the candidate or to promote or procure the election of another candidate and such statement is false and was published without reasonable grounds for belief by the person publishing it that the statement is true, commits, an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of ₦200,000 or imprisonment for a term of six months or both.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the PRP has full confidence in its gubernatorial candidate, a serving Senator and a citizen who stepped up when needed to try and put an end to the scourge of criminality now ravaging the country.”
According to Ishaq, the PRP believed that the Bauchi State governorship candidate’s popularity has become a major threat to his rivals and detractors, who have resorted to peddling outrageous and libellous falsehoods against him.
The PRP spokesman urged those who feel threatened by Senator Buba’s popularity to match his acceptance levels and stop the campaign of calumny against him.
