Civil Groups Demand Disqualification of Bayelsa APC Candidate

Two prominent civil society organizations, Peer Advocacy Centre for Africa (PAACA) and another unnamed group, have filed separate petitions with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the All Progressives Congress (APC) demanding the disqualification of Prof. Princewill Woyinbrakemi Igbagara from contesting the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency seat in the upcoming 2027 general elections.

The petitions, submitted on May 7, 2026, argue that Igbagara, who is a lecturer at the Federal University Otuoke and serves as a special adviser to the Bayelsa State governor on science and technology, is violating public service regulations by holding dual offices. The groups assert that this dual occupation contravenes Section 66(1)(f) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which stipulates that no person shall qualify for election to the Senate or House of Representatives while still employed in public service unless they have resigned at least 30 days prior to the election.

Ezenwa Nwagwu, the executive director of PAACA, emphasized the need for adherence to legal and ethical standards in the electoral process.