The People’s Redemption Party (PRP) has thrown its weight behind its Bauchi State governorship candidate, Senator Shehu Buba, dismissing allegations linking him with bandits and kidnappers as a politically motivated campaign aimed at damaging his reputation ahead of the election.
The party said it had deliberately refrained from responding to the allegations while seeking to establish their veracity, but had become convinced that the claims were part of a campaign by political opponents allegedly threatened by Buba’s popularity.
PRP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, stated this in a statement on Friday, insisting that the party retained full confidence in the serving senator and its governorship candidate.
Ishaq challenged anyone possessing evidence of criminal wrongdoing against Buba to submit it to the appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law rather than circulate what the party described as unsubstantiated allegations.
‘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’, the party said.
The PRP said it initially resisted joining issues with those behind the allegations because responding could give further publicity to the claims.
According to the party, it also considered it necessary to ascertain the facts surrounding the allegations against Buba, whom it said had earned its trust to represent the party with integrity and responsibility.
The party further cited Section 127(c) of the Electoral Act 2026, which it said criminalises the publication of false statements concerning the personal character or conduct of a candidate where such statements are intended to prejudice the candidate’s electoral chances or promote another candidate.
Quoting the provision, the PRP said an offender, upon conviction, could face a maximum fine of N200,000, six months’ imprisonment 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’, Ishaq said.
The party alleged that Buba’s political rivals had resorted to what it described as ‘outrageous and libelous falsehood’ because of the spread and depth of his support across Bauchi State.
It reaffirmed its support for the governorship candidate and urged his political opponents to concentrate on winning voters rather than engaging in attacks on his character.
‘The Party stands with Senator Shehu Buba, its candidate for governorship of Bauchi State. Those who feel threatened by his popularity should attempt to match his acceptance levels and stop this campaign of calumny against him’, the statement said.