The party questions the timing of the senator’s alleged defection from the APC to the PRP, seeking judicial interpretation of electoral requirements ahead of the 2027 election.
The Bauchi State chapter of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Bauchi challenging Senator Shehu Buba Umar’s eligibility to contest the 2027 governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
The suit, filed on Monday, seeks a judicial determination of the applicable electoral requirements governing party membership and candidate nomination ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the centre of the dispute is the APM’s allegation that Senator Buba moved to the PRP after losing the governorship primary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and subsequently emerged as the PRP’s governorship candidate.
The party is asking the court to determine whether the circumstances surrounding his reported change of political affiliation and emergence as a candidate complied with the applicable legal requirements.
APM Questions Timing of Party Switch
Speaking to journalists shortly after filing the suit, the APM State Legal Adviser, Barrister Jidauna Tula, said the party was seeking judicial clarification on the legality of Senator Buba’s candidacy.
Tula alleged that the senator contested the APC governorship primary, lost and subsequently joined the PRP before emerging as its candidate within a period the APM considers inconsistent with the applicable requirements.
He said: “Between the date Sen Shehu Buba Umar contested APC gubernatorial primary, lost and joined the PRP and afterwards emerged as its gubernatorial candidate was less than the days required by law for membership of a political party.”
According to the APM, the sequence of events raises questions about whether Senator Buba satisfied the relevant requirements before participating in the PRP primary.
The allegation remains unproven, and the court has yet to determine the merits of the case.
What the Law Says
Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, requires a governorship candidate to be a member of, and sponsored by, a political party.
Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 addresses the submission of political parties’ membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 21 days before their primaries, congresses or conventions.
However, the 21-day requirement concerns the submission of party membership registers. It does not, by itself, establish a general rule requiring every aspirant to have belonged to a political party for at least 21 days before contesting its primary.
The central legal question is whether the APM can identify an applicable statutory provision or electoral guideline that Senator Buba allegedly failed to satisfy.
The court will need to consider the specific grounds of the suit, the relevant legal provisions and the evidence presented before determining whether the challenge has merit.
Supreme Court Precedent
The dispute also brings into focus the Supreme Court’s September 24, 2026 judgment in INEC v. Zenith Labour Party, concerning the interpretation and enforcement of provisions governing political party membership registers and participation in party primaries.
The judgment is relevant to the legal framework governing party nominations. However, its precise implications for the APM’s challenge will depend on the issues raised in the new suit and the applicable principles established by the court.
The existence of previous judicial decisions on party membership requirements does not, on its own, determine whether the circumstances alleged by the APM constitute a breach of the law.
No Hearing Date Fixed
The suit has just been filed, and no hearing date has been fixed. Court processes are expected to be served on the relevant parties before proceedings commence.
There is currently no judicial determination on the allegations raised by the APM. The filing of the suit does not automatically invalidate Senator Buba’s nomination or establish that he is ineligible to contest the election.
The senator and the PRP will have the opportunity to respond to the claims through the judicial process.
Legal Battle Adds to Bauchi’s 2027 Contest
The lawsuit introduces another legal challenge into preparations for the 2027 Bauchi governorship election, with the dispute focusing on party membership, candidate nomination and compliance with electoral requirements.
The central issue before the court will be whether the APM can establish that an applicable legal requirement was breached in the process leading to Senator Buba’s emergence as the PRP governorship candidate.
The court’s eventual determination will clarify the legal questions properly placed before it.
This medium will continue to monitor the proceedings and report verified developments as the case progresses.
