The ruling social gathering in Bauchi State ‘Allied Peoples Movement’ (APM) has instituted a swimsuit on the Federal High Court in Bauchi, difficult the eligibility of Senator Shehu Buba Umar to contest the 2027 Bauchi State governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
The social gathering is asking the courtroom to find out whether or not Buba’s participation within the PRP governorship main election and his subsequent emergence because the social gathering’s candidate complied with the provisions of Sections 77(4), 77(5) and 77(6) of the Electoral Act 2026.
The authorized adviser to the APM, Barr. Jidauna Tula, disclosed this whereas briefing journalists in Bauchi yesterday, explaining that the swimsuit was filed within the curiosity of justice and equity and to acquire a judicial interpretation of the related provisions of the Electoral Act.
The swimsuit, marked FHC/BAU/CS/68/2026, names the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PRP and Senator Shehu Buba Umar as defendants.
According to Barr. Tula, the APM is difficult Buba’s eligibility on the grounds that he allegedly participated in an All Progressives Congress (APC) main election earlier than subsequently rising because the PRP’s governorship candidate.
He additional alleged that Buba’s identify was absent from the PRP membership register submitted to INEC throughout the statutory interval prescribed by regulation, however was later included within the fee’s closing listing of candidates for the 2027 governorship election.
In its originating summons, the APM is asking the courtroom to find out whether or not Buba’s participation within the PRP governorship main election held on May 25, 2026, and his subsequent nomination because the social gathering’s candidate had been lawful, contemplating the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
The social gathering additionally needs the courtroom to find out whether or not Buba was eligible to take part within the main election when, in keeping with the APM, his identify didn’t seem on the PRP membership register submitted to INEC throughout the statutory interval.
Another difficulty raised within the swimsuit is whether or not Buba’s alleged continued membership of the APC on the time the PRP submitted its membership register to INEC has any bearing on his eligibility to take part within the PRP main election and emerge as its candidate.
The APM can also be in search of a dedication of whether or not the PRP complied with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 by submitting its membership register on or earlier than May 10, 2026, forward of its governorship main election held on May 25, 2026.
It additional requested the courtroom to find out whether or not the PRP might depend on any membership register apart from the one submitted to INEC throughout the statutory interval to determine Buba’s eligibility to take part within the main election.
The social gathering is equally questioning whether or not INEC can lawfully retain Buba’s identify on the ultimate listing of candidates for the 2027 Bauchi State governorship election if the courtroom finds that his participation within the main election and subsequent nomination contravened the Electoral Act.
Consequently, the APM is in search of a declaration that INEC’s publication of October 10, 2026, which listed Buba because the PRP governorship candidate for Bauchi State, is illegal, null and void.
It can also be asking the courtroom to direct INEC to take away Buba’s identify from the ultimate listing of candidates for the 2027 governorship election within the state.
Explaining the authorized foundation of the swimsuit, Tula mentioned Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires political events to submit their membership registers to INEC not later than 21 days earlier than the dates fastened for his or her primaries, congresses and conventions.
He added that Section 77(8), as cited within the swimsuit, supplies that solely social gathering members whose names seem within the relevant membership register are eligible to vote or be voted for at social gathering primaries, congresses and conventions.
Tula additional argued that Section 77(6) prohibits political events from counting on a membership register totally different from the one submitted to INEC throughout the prescribed interval for his or her primaries, congresses or conventions.
According to him, the PRP was required to submit its membership register to INEC on or earlier than May 10, 2026, however Buba’s identify was allegedly absent from the register on the time of submission.
He additionally alleged that Buba remained a member of the APC as of May 19, 2026, after the PRP had submitted its membership register to INEC, arguing that the circumstances raised questions on his eligibility to take part within the PRP main election held on May 25, 2026.
The APM contends that Buba’s participation within the main election and his emergence because the PRP governorship candidate violated the related provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
It subsequently maintains that his nomination is illegal and with out authorized impact, and has requested the courtroom to nullify the nomination and compel INEC to take away his identify from the listing of candidates.
There was no response from INEC, the PRP or Senator Shehu Buba Umar as of the time of submitting this report. However, our correspondent is making additional efforts to acquire reactions from the events concerned.
We’ve bought the sting. Get real-time studies, breaking scoops, and unique angles delivered straight to your telephone. Don’t accept stale information. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for twenty-four/7 updates →
