The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has defended its Bauchi State governorship candidate, Senator Shehu Buba, against allegations linking him to banditry and kidnapping, describing the claims as part of a politically motivated campaign aimed at damaging his reputation ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, said the PRP had become convinced that the allegations were being circulated by individuals threatened by Buba’s growing political profile in Bauchi State.
“PRP is now convinced that there is a campaign to damage our candidate with tissues of lies and unrestrained mischief,” Ishaq said.
He added that the allegations were allegedly being promoted by individuals concerned about Buba’s prospects of winning the 2027 governorship election.
The development follows renewed allegations circulating online in recent weeks accusing Buba, who represents Bauchi South Senatorial District, of having links to suspected bandits. Buba has repeatedly denied the allegations and described some of the materials being circulated against him as manipulated or taken out of context.
In his latest response, Ishaq challenged anyone with credible evidence of criminal activity involving the senator to present such evidence to the appropriate security agencies or courts instead of engaging in what he described as a campaign of calumny.
The PRP spokesperson also referred to the Electoral Act in arguing that false statements capable of prejudicing a candidate’s electoral prospects could attract legal consequences.
However, a review of the Electoral Act 2022 shows that the specific reference to Section 127(c) in the party’s statement appears to be inaccurate. Section 127 deals with undue influence and criminalises the corrupt payment or acceptance of money or other inducements intended to influence voting. It does not contain a subsection (c) dealing with false statements.
The provision dealing with wrongful voting and false statements is Section 123 of the Electoral Act, while Section 121 addresses bribery and conspiracy.
Ishaq said the party remained firmly behind Buba, whom he described as a politician who had taken a stand against criminality and insecurity in the country.
“The party stands with Sen. Shehu Buba, its candidate for governorship of Bauchi State,” he said, urging those who felt threatened by the senator’s popularity to compete with him politically rather than resort to what he called character assassination.
Buba, who recently left the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the Bauchi governorship election on the PRP platform, has said he has taken legal steps over some of the allegations. Premium Times reported that five suspects were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja in October 2025 in a case involving allegations including criminal conspiracy, cyberstalking, criminal defamation, advance-fee fraud and extortion.
There is, however, no publicly established court judgment confirming that Buba sponsored banditry or kidnapping. The allegations remain contested, with the senator and his party rejecting them and calling on anyone with evidence to present it through lawful channels.