- Safiu Kehinde
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has defended its governorship candidate in Bauchi State, Sen. Shehu Buba, describing his alleged link to banditry and kidnapping as politically motivated and a campaign of calumny.
PRP, in a statement issued on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, said that the campaign was being driven by detractors who felt threatened by the senator’s growing popularity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ishaq challenged anyone with credible proof of criminal activity to present it to legal authorities rather than engaging in what he called a campaign of calumny against the senator.
“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 handiwork of those who are threatened by our candidate’s popularity and his prospects for being voted the next Gov. of Bauchi State,” he said.
The PRP spokesperson quoted Section 127(c) of the Electoral Act as specifying penalty for publication of false statements intended to prejudice a candidate’s electoral chances.
Ishaq stated that the party stood with the candidate who, he said, stood up when Nigeria needed him to put an end to the scourge of criminality now ravaging the country.
“The party stands with Sen. 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,” he said.
NPO Reported that a former loyalist of the PRP gubernatorial candidate identified as Hassan had in a trending video circulating on X, disclosed how he smuggled his phone into the toilet to capture suspected bandits collecting weapons and ammunition from the senator’s residence.
In an interview with social media influencer, D English Alhaji Media, Hassan alleged that Buba was among politicians supporting bandits operating in the area.
He also claimed that individuals linked to notorious bandit kingpin, Dogo Gide, were brought to Abuja for specialised training, allegedly with the assistance of an aide to the senator.