Petitions Filed Against Bayelsa APC Candidate Igbagara

Two petitions have been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Prof. Princewill Woyinbrakemi Igbagara, who is contesting for the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency seat under the platform of the Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. The petitions were filed on May 7, 2026, by two prominent civil society organizations, including the Peer Advocacy Centre for Africa (PAACA).

The groups 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 in violation of constitutional provisions regarding dual occupancy of public office. They claim that holding both positions contravenes established public service regulations and ethical guidelines, specifically citing Section 66(1)(f) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which states that no person shall qualify for election to the Senate or House of Representatives while employed in public service unless they resign at least thirty days before the election.