By Joyce Ekeh
The People’s Redemption Party, PRP, has called for an end to what it described as a campaign of lies against its Bauchi State governorship candidate, Senator Shehu Buba, over allegations linking him with banditry and kidnapping.
The party said it initially refrained from responding to the allegations while it sought to establish the facts, but decided to speak out after concluding that the claims were part of a deliberate attempt to damage the candidate’s reputation and undermine his chances in the 2027 governorship election.
In a statement, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, said the PRP was now convinced that its candidate was the target of a coordinated campaign.
“The PRP is now convinced that there is a campaign to damage our candidate with tissues of lies and unrestrained mischief,” Ishaq said.
The party challenged anyone with evidence of criminal conduct against the candidate to submit such evidence to the appropriate authorities rather than making public allegations.
“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 also cited Section 127(c) of the Electoral Act 2026, which it said criminalises the publication, before or during an election, of false statements about a candidate’s personal character or conduct where such statements are calculated to prejudice the candidate’s chances and are published without reasonable grounds for believing them to be true.
According to the party, the provision carries a maximum penalty of N200,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both upon conviction.
The party alleged that the claims were being promoted by individuals who felt threatened by Buba’s popularity and growing political prospects in Bauchi State.
It said it remained confident in its candidate, describing him as a serving senator who had “stepped forward” to confront the criminality affecting the country.
“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,” the party said.
The party accused the candidate’s rivals and detractors of responding to his alleged growing acceptance with what it described as “outrageous and libellous falsehood”.
It urged political opponents to focus on competing for votes rather than engaging in what it called a campaign of calumny.
“Those who feel threatened by his popularity should attempt to match his acceptance levels and stop this campaign of calumny against him,” the party said.
I have deliberately kept “allegations”, “claims” and “the party said” throughout so InsightNews does not inadvertently present the accusations or the PRP’s defence as established facts.
