By Bashir Hassan, Bauchi
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Senator Shehu Buba Umar before the Federal High Court in Bauchi over the legality of the senator’s candidacy for the 2027 Bauchi State governorship election.
The suit, numbered FHC/BAU/CS/68/2026, challenges Senator Buba’s eligibility to contest the election on the platform of the PRP, alleging violations of provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The APM Legal Adviser, Barrister Jidauna Tula, disclosed the development to journalists in Bauchi, explaining that the party was seeking judicial interpretation and enforcement of Sections 77(4), 77(5) and 77(6) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Counsel to the party, Barrister Benjamin Sati, said the originating summons asked the court to determine whether Senator Buba, who had earlier participated in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary, could lawfully emerge as the PRP’s governorship candidate at its primary held on May 25, 2026.
According to the APM, the senator’s name was allegedly absent from the PRP membership register submitted to INEC within the statutory 21-day period preceding the party’s primary.
The party is also challenging the legality of the PRP’s reliance on any other membership register, arguing that such an action would contravene Section 77(6) of the Electoral Act.
Consequently, the APM is asking the court to declare the publication of Senator Buba’s name by INEC on October 10, 2026, as the PRP governorship candidate unlawful, null and void.
It is further seeking an order directing INEC to remove the senator’s name from the final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship election.
The party argued that Sections 77(4) and 77(5) of the Electoral Act, 2026, tie eligibility to vote and be voted for in a party primary to the party membership register submitted to INEC not later than 21 days before the primary.
According to the APM, the PRP was required to submit its membership register on or before May 10, 2026, ahead of its May 25 governorship primary.
The party further alleged that Senator Buba was still a member of the APC as of May 19, 2026, a circumstance it contends raises questions about his eligibility to participate in the PRP primary.
The suit seeks to establish whether the circumstances surrounding the senator’s emergence as the PRP candidate complied with the statutory requirements governing party membership and candidate selection under the Electoral Act, 2026.
The court’s determination is expected to clarify the legal issues raised by the APM regarding Senator Buba’s eligibility to contest the 2027 Bauchi State governorship election on the platform of the PRP.
