Court to Hear Suit Challenging Donald Duke’s PRP Presidential Candidacy Monday

The Federal High Court in Abuja will on Monday hear a suit challenging the emergence of former Rivers State Governor Donald Duke as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party for the 2027 elections.

The case, fixed for hearing by Justice Mohammed Umar, was filed by Dr Yakubu Kingsley, an aspirant who contends that Duke was not a registered member of the PRP as of May 4, when the party’s membership register was submitted to INEC.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1234/2026, filed by lawyer D.A. Sulyman, the plaintiff named PRP, Duke, and INEC as first to third defendants. Hearing notices have been issued and served on all parties.

Kingsley alleges that Duke was not duly returned as the PRP presidential candidate in the May 25 primary election, whose results were declared on May 26, because he was not a registered member at the time the register was submitted to INEC.

The plaintiff also challenged alleged over-voting in several states. In Bauchi, he claims the PRP had 593 registered members but 760 votes were cast. In Gombe, 348 members but 1,431 votes. In Kwara, 55 members but 82 votes.

He is seeking a declaration that Duke, not having been a registered member of the PRP, cannot be validly nominated as its presidential candidate.

Sources: Vanguard, Premium Times