PRP defends Bauchi senator, dismisses banditry allegations
September 11, 2026 10:41 pm
The Peoples Redemption Party has thrown its weight behind its Bauchi State governorship candidate, Senator Shehu Buba, dismissing allegations linking him to banditry and kidnapping as a campaign of falsehood aimed at damaging his political prospects.
The party also challenged those behind the allegations to present evidence of any criminal activity involving the senator to the appropriate authorities instead of allegedly spreading unsubstantiated claims on social media.
In a statement issued on Friday, PRP National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, said the party had initially refrained from responding to the allegations because it did not want to give publicity to what it described as “mischievous allegations.”
Ishaq, however, stated that they are now convinced that there was a deliberate campaign to tarnish Buba’s reputation ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He said, “The PRP is now convinced that there is a campaign to damage our candidate with tissues of lies and unrestrained mischief. We now believe that these allegations are the handiwork of those who are threatened by our candidate’s popularity and his prospects for being voted the next Governor of Bauchi State.
“These lies must stop. 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 spokesman also cited Section 127(c) of the Electoral Act 2026, which provides that a person who publishes a false statement about the character or conduct of a candidate, calculated to prejudice the candidate’s chances of election, commits an offence if the statement was published without reasonable grounds for believing it to be true.
The Act states, “Any person who before or during an election publishes any statement as to the personal character or conduct of a candidate calculated to prejudice the chance of election of the candidate or to promote or procure the election of another candidate and such statement is false and was published without reasonable grounds for belief by the person publishing it that the statement is true, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of ₦200,000 or imprisonment for a term of six months or both.”
The PRP emphasised that it has confidence in Buba, describing him as a serving senator who had “stepped up when needed to try and put an end to the scourge of criminality now ravaging 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.
“We believe his rivals and detractors feel threatened by the spread and depth of his popularity, and have now resorted to peddling outrageous and libellous falsehoods against him.
“The Party stands with Senator Shehu Buba, its candidate for governorship of Bauchi State. Those who feel threatened by his popularity should attempt to match his acceptance levels and stop this campaign of calumny against him,” Ishaq added.
The development came five days after Buba denied fresh allegations linking him to banditry, describing viral videos and claims circulating on social media as part of what he called a sustained campaign of disinformation and character assassination.
Buba, a former Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, has faced allegations of links with suspected bandits since 2024. He has consistently denied the accusations.
The latest controversy followed the circulation of videos by a content creator known as “D English Alhaji,” who alleged that suspected bandit kingpins had visited the senator’s residence.
The allegations were further amplified after a resident identified as Hassan accused Buba, during an interview with the social media influencer, of being among politicians allegedly aiding bandits in the area.
The PUNCH journalist, Adebayo, has over 20 years of experience covering politics, health, metro, entertainment and properties
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