CSOs Criticize Court Order Restraining Bauchi PRP Primary Election

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Bauchi State is contesting a court order that blocks its primary election and the alleged removal of the state chairman.

PRP held its governorship primary on Monday, where Senator Shehu Buba Umar, the representative for Bauchi South, was selected as the party’s candidate.

After the primary, a governorship aspirant petitioned the court to halt the party, the senator, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with the election.

A faction of the party also announced the removal of the state chairman, alleging that due process was violated when Shehu Buba Umar—who left the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join PRP—was appointed the candidate within hours.

Speaking to journalists yesterday in Bauchi, Najim Nurudeen, leader of Concerned Civil Society Organisations in Bauchi, said that appellate courts in Nigeria have repeatedly warned against “undue interference” in the internal affairs of political parties unless expressly permitted by law.

“Political parties are generally recognised as independent voluntary associations entitled to regulate their internal affairs, including the conduct of their congresses and primaries, subject only to constitutional and statutory limitations,” he said.

Nurudeen urged the court to “vacate and set aside” the order within a reasonable time, arguing that it is inconsistent with the Electoral Act, 2026 and established principles that limit judicial intervention in party matters.

He added, “We wish to state clearly that courts are expected under the law to exercise caution and restraint in matters touching on party primaries and internal political processes, particularly where the Electoral Act expressly limits judicial intervention.”

“We therefore call upon members of the public, party faithful, political stakeholders, and concerned citizens to remain calm and law‑abiding as the issues arising from the said order will ultimately be subjected to judicial scrutiny and lawful appellate review where necessary,” he said.