A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja will today begin hearing a suit challenging the emergence of former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The matter, fixed for hearing before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, is the first time the case is coming up in court following the issuance and service of hearing notices on all parties.
The suit was filed by an aspirant, Dr Yakubu Kingsley, through his counsel, D.A. Sulyman, and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1234/2026. The PRP, Mr Donald Duke, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are listed as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.
Kingsley is asking the court to determine, among other issues, whether Duke was validly returned as the PRP presidential candidate in the party’s May 25, 2026 primary election, whose results were declared on May 26.
He is also questioning Duke’s eligibility on the grounds that he allegedly was not a registered member of the PRP as at May 4, 2026, when the party’s membership register was said to have been submitted to INEC.
The plaintiff further alleged irregularities in the conduct of the primaries, claiming instances of over-voting in several states, including Bauchi, Gombe, and Kwara.
According to him, in Bauchi State, while the party’s registered membership stood at 593, a total of 760 votes were allegedly recorded. In Gombe, 348 registered members reportedly produced 1,431 votes, while Kwara allegedly recorded 82 votes from just 55 registered members.
He is therefore urging the court to nullify the results of the primary election in the affected states on the grounds of alleged over-voting and electoral irregularities.
Kingsley is also asking for a declaration that Donald Duke, not being a registered member of the party, was not qualified to participate in or win the primary election.
He further contended that Duke failed to comply with the party’s guidelines requiring physical appearance at the screening exercise held at the party’s national secretariat.
The plaintiff is seeking an order setting aside the said primary election results, and a declaration that he is the rightful PRP presidential candidate having complied with all party requirements.
He also wants the court to direct INEC not to recognise Duke as the party’s flag bearer or to delete his name from its records, while compelling the electoral umpire to instead recognise him as the valid candidate.
In his affidavit, Kingsley described himself as a registered member of the PRP with membership number 2A8D8B20B2 from Auchi III Ward, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, currently residing in Abuja.
He stated that he paid a total of N20 million for the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms and fulfilled all screening requirements, including physical participation in the party’s screening exercise between May 15 and May 19, 2026.
According to him, he was duly screened and cleared to participate in the presidential primary held on May 25, 2026.
Kingsley further alleged that Duke’s name was included in the race despite not participating in the mandatory screening exercise at the party’s national secretariat, contrary to party guidelines and INEC regulations.
He also challenged INEC to produce the PRP membership register allegedly submitted as at May 4, 2026, insisting that Duke’s eligibility did not meet statutory requirements.
The plaintiff maintained that the primary election was marred by widespread irregularities, manipulation, and disenfranchisement of legitimate party processes.
He argued that when the allegedly unlawful votes are discounted, he emerged as the highest validly voted aspirant in the presidential primary.
Kingsley, therefore, urged the court to grant all reliefs sought in the interest of justice and internal party democracy.
