Party challenges PRP governorship candidate’s eligibility in Bauchi, alleges failure to comply with 21-day notice requirement for primary elections.
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Bauchi against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Shehu Buba Umar and his running mate over an alleged violation of the Electoral Act in the nomination of the Peoples Redemption Party’s (PRP) governorship candidates for the 2027 election.
The party’s legal adviser, Jidauna Tula, disclosed this to journalists on Friday, October 23, after the suit was filed, explaining that the case challenges Buba’s eligibility to contest the Bauchi State governorship election under the PRP.
According to Tula, Buba contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Bauchi on May 22, 2026, but lost before withdrawing from the race and moving to the PRP.
He alleged that the PRP subsequently conducted another governorship primary on May 26, 2026, which produced Buba as its candidate.
The APM argued that the process violated Section 82 of the Electoral Act, which it said requires political parties to notify INEC at least 21 days before holding a convention, congress or primary election for the nomination of candidates.
Tula maintained that, for a primary scheduled for May 26, the PRP ought to have notified INEC on or before May 5, 2026. He alleged that the party failed to meet the requirement.
He further cited provisions of the law which, according to the APM, render a primary invalid where the mandatory notice is not given.
APM Questions INEC’s Publication of Buba’s Name
Tula said the party became concerned after INEC published Buba’s name as the PRP governorship candidate on October 10, 2026, as part of the commission’s final list of candidates for the 2027 general election.
He also alleged that Buba’s running mate defected to the PRP after the relevant INEC deadline had elapsed.
The APM legal adviser said the party instituted the suit to challenge the circumstances surrounding the nomination and publication of the candidates.
The case is yet to commence hearing, and the allegations remain subject to judicial determination.
