2027: ‘Campaign of lies’ against PRP candidate must stop — Party

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By Luminous Jannamike

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ABUJA — The People’s Redemption Party, PRP, has warned that a ‘campaign of lies’ against its Bauchi State governorship candidate Shehu Buba, must stop, accusing political opponents of spreading false allegations linking the candidate with banditry and kidnapping.

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The party, which had initially kept quiet over the allegations, said it could no longer remain silent after becoming convinced that the claims were part of a deliberate effort to damage the candidate’s reputation and undermine his chances in the 2027 governorship election.

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The position was contained in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, who said the PRP had deliberately held back while it sought to establish the facts surrounding the allegations.

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“The PRP is now convinced that there is a campaign to damage our candidate with tissues of lies and unrestrained mischief,” Ishaq said.

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The party said those making the allegations should take any evidence of criminal conduct to the appropriate authorities instead of using unsubstantiated claims to attack its candidate publicly.

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“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,” it said.

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The PRP further drew attention to Section 127(c) of the Electoral Act 2026, which it said criminalises the publication, before or during an election, of false statements about a candidate’s personal character or conduct where such statements are calculated to prejudice the candidate’s chances and are published without reasonable grounds for believing them to be true.

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The provision, as cited by the party, attracts a maximum fine of N200,000, six months’ imprisonment, or both upon conviction.

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According to the PRP, the allegations are being driven by individuals who feel threatened by the candidate’s popularity and prospects of emerging as the next governor of Bauchi State.

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The party said it had full confidence in its candidate, a serving Senator whom it described as having stepped forward to help confront the criminality ravaging the country.

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“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,” the party said.

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It maintained that his rivals and detractors were responding to his growing acceptance with what it described as ‘outrageous and libellous falsehood’.

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The PRP urged those who felt threatened by the candidate’s popularity to compete with him politically rather than engage in what it described as a campaign of calumny.

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“Those who feel threatened by his popularity should attempt to match his acceptance levels and stop this campaign of calumny against him,” the party said.

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