PRP Warns Against Alleged Smear Campaign Targeting Bauchi Guber Candidate Shehu Buba

The People’s Redemption Party (PRP) has condemned what it described as a campaign of falsehood and “unrestrained mischief” against its Bauchi State governorship candidate, Senator Shehu Buba, over allegations linking him to banditry and kidnapping activities.

In a statement issued on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, the PRP said it had initially refrained from responding to the allegations to avoid giving undue publicity to what it considered a deliberate attempt to damage the reputation of its candidate.

The party, however, said it was now convinced that the allegations were part of a coordinated effort by political opponents who were allegedly threatened by Senator Buba’s popularity and prospects of winning the Bauchi governorship election.

“The PRP is now convinced that there is a campaign to damage our candidate with tissues of lies and unrestrained mischief,” the statement said, challenging anyone with evidence of criminal activity involving the candidate to submit such evidence to the appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.

The party also cited Section 127(c) of the Electoral Act 2026, which provides penalties for publishing false statements about a candidate’s personal character or conduct with the intention of prejudicing the candidate’s electoral chances. According to the provision quoted by the PRP, offenders may face a fine of up to ₦200,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both, upon conviction.

The PRP said it remained confident in Senator Buba, describing him as a serving senator and a citizen who had stepped forward to contribute to efforts to confront insecurity and criminality in the country.

The party urged those behind the allegations to stop what it described as a campaign of calumny and instead focus on presenting evidence to the relevant authorities.

“The Party stands with Senator Shehu Buba, its candidate for governorship of Bauchi State,” Ishaq said, adding that political opponents who felt threatened by the senator’s popularity should seek to match his level of acceptance rather than resort to alleged defamatory attacks.