Two civil society organisations have filed separate petitions before the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), challenging the eligibility of Bayelsa-based academic, Prof. Princewill Woyinbrakemi Igbagara, to contest the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The petitions, dated May 7, 2026, were submitted by the Centre for Policy Advocacy and Leadership Development and the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA).
Although filed independently, both organisations raised similar allegations against the professor, accusing him of simultaneously occupying two public positions while receiving remuneration from both offices.
According to the petitions, Prof. Igbagara currently serves as a lecturer and professor at the Federal University, Otuoke, while also holding the position of Special Adviser on Science and Technology to the Bayelsa State Governor.
The groups alleged that he continued occupying both roles concurrently as recently as April 20, 2026, arguing that such an arrangement violates public service regulations, ethical standards, and constitutional provisions guiding public office holders.
They specifically cited Section 66(1)(f) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which states that any individual employed in the public service of either the federation or a state must resign, withdraw, or retire at least 30 days before contesting for election into the National Assembly.
PAACA, in its petition signed by Executive Director Ezenwa Nwagwu, described itself as a non-partisan organisation committed to promoting electoral transparency, democratic accountability, and adherence to constitutional standards.
The organisation urged the APC and relevant agencies to treat the matter with urgency in the interest of fairness, rule of law, and democratic integrity ahead of the party primaries.
Copies of the petitions were also sent to the APC National Chairman, the APC National Secretary, and the APC Chairman in Bayelsa State.
For now, there has been no official response from Prof. Igbagara regarding the allegations contained in the petitions.
