APM Challenges Shehu Buba’s Eligibility as PRP Governorship Candidate Over Alleged Electoral Act Breach

By Umar Usman Duguri

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has challenged Senator Shehu Buba Umar’s eligibility to contest the 2027 Bauchi State governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), alleging that the party failed to comply with statutory requirements governing the submission of its membership register to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The legal challenge centres on whether the PRP complied with the applicable provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 before conducting its governorship primary and nominating Buba as its candidate.

The dispute raises questions about compliance with electoral procedures ahead of the 2027 general election, although the allegations have yet to be established by a final judicial determination.

APM seeks judicial intervention

The suit, reportedly filed at the Federal High Court in Bauchi and identified as FHC/BAU/CS/68/2026, challenges the validity of Buba’s emergence as the PRP governorship candidate.

APM’s case reportedly concerns the statutory deadline for political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC and whether the PRP fulfilled that obligation in relation to its primary election.

The party is seeking judicial determination of the legality of INEC’s recognition of Buba as the PRP candidate and the appropriate reliefs arising from the alleged non-compliance.

The precise claims and reliefs sought should be confirmed against the filed court processes before publication.

Membership register at the centre of dispute

The controversy concerns the legal requirements governing political party membership records and candidates’ participation in party primaries.

The applicable statutory provisions, the date the PRP submitted its membership register, the date of its primary and the contents of the documents submitted to INEC will be central to determining the dispute.

It is important to distinguish the requirement relating to submission of a party membership register from any separate statutory requirement concerning notice of a primary election. The legal effect of an alleged breach depends on the specific provision invoked and the evidence before the court.

Buba’s nomination remains subject to legal scrutiny

The challenge follows Buba’s political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election, including his reported participation in the APC governorship primary before emerging as the PRP candidate.

However, the filing of a suit does not automatically disqualify a candidate or invalidate a party primary. Such consequences would depend on the applicable law and the court’s determination of the issues presented.

The PRP, Buba and INEC should be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations, particularly on the membership register, the conduct of the primary and the legal basis for the candidate’s recognition.

Court’s determination awaited

The case places the applicable electoral requirements under judicial scrutiny as political parties prepare for the 2027 general election.

Until the court determines the dispute, the allegation against the PRP and the challenge to Buba’s eligibility remain matters for adjudication rather than established findings of wrongdoing.

The ruling could affect the parties’ positions in the Bauchi governorship race, depending on the court’s findings, the orders made and any subsequent appeal.