By Khalid Idris Doya
Senator Shehu Buba Umar, the 2027 Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) governorship candidate for Bauchi State, has dismissed reports suggesting that Thursday's Supreme Court judgment on provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 could affect his eligibility to contest the 2027 governorship election.
Speaking through his special adviser on media and communication, Comrade Sabo Mohammed, on Friday, Senator Shehu Buba said he had fully complied with all applicable provisions of the electoral law and remained committed to his ambition to contest the Bauchi State governorship election.
The Supreme Court, on Thursday, September 24, 2026, upheld an appeal filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concerning provisions of the Electoral Act relating to political party membership registers and candidate nominations.
Reacting to what he described as misleading interpretations of the judgment circulating on social media, Senator Buba said his attention had been drawn to publications suggesting that the ruling could invalidate his candidacy.
He said, "My attention has been drawn to misleading publications, particularly on social media, regarding the judgment delivered by the Supreme Court on Thursday, 24 September 2026."
According to him, the legal position established by the judgment, as well as INEC’s authority to issue guidelines for the 2027 electoral process, took effect from September 24, 2026.
He, however, argued that key electoral activities completed before the judgment, including the submission of party membership registers, conduct of primaries and nomination of candidates, were carried out under the legal and regulatory framework in force at the time.
Senator Buba maintained that the judgment should not be applied retrospectively to invalidate electoral processes and actions that were lawfully concluded before the ruling.
He said the principle of non-retroactivity was important in determining the effect of the judgment, particularly where political parties and candidates had complied with prescribed requirements in reliance on the prevailing legal framework.
The PRP candidate further stated that although the Supreme Court judgment would have broader implications for the interpretation of the Electoral Act, its practical application to the current electoral cycle should take into account activities already completed under the previous rules.
Senator Buba said he had satisfied all statutory requirements for his candidacy and saw no basis for claims that the judgment had invalidated his governorship bid.
"Our ambition to clinch the governorship of Bauchi State remains firmly on course. By the special grace of Almighty Allah (SWT), there is no going back," he said.
The lawmaker expressed confidence that INEC would issue clear guidelines on the application of the Supreme Court judgment and its implications for political parties and candidates.
He urged his supporters, party members and well-wishers across Bauchi State to remain calm and disregard what he described as interpretations aimed at creating confusion over his candidacy.
Senator Buba also disclosed that he had directed his legal team to thoroughly review the judgment and provide further guidance as the electoral process progresses.
He reaffirmed his commitment to his campaign and continued engagement with stakeholders across Bauchi State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
"INEC's official 2027 election schedule confirms that the Commission commenced the electoral process well before the September 2026 ruling, including activities related to party membership registers and candidate primaries," Sabo said.
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