The Federal High Court in Abuja is set to hear a suit challenging the emergence of former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) for the 2027 general elections. The case, filed by aspirant Yakubu Kingsley, will come up for hearing for the first time on Monday before Judge Mohammed Umar. Hearing notices have been served on all parties involved.
Plaintiff's Allegations
Mr Kingsley, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1234/2026 and filed by his lawyer D.A. Sulyman, named the PRP, Mr Duke, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants. He seeks three questions for determination in the originating summons. The plaintiff wants the court to determine whether Mr Duke was duly returned as the PRP presidential candidate in the primary election held on 25 May, with results declared on 26 May, given that he was not a registered member of the party as of 4 May, when the PRP membership register was submitted to INEC.
Allegations of Over-Voting
Mr Kingsley also challenged alleged over-voting in several states. According to the suit, in Bauchi State, the registered members in the party's database were 593, but the total votes cast were 760. In Gombe State, registered members were 348 while votes cast were 1,431. In Kwara State, registered members were 55 while votes cast were 82. The plaintiff argues that these discrepancies warrant the nullification of the primary election.
Reliefs Sought
Mr Kingsley seeks a declaration that the former governor, not being a registered PRP member, cannot participate in the party's primary election. He also seeks a declaration that Mr Duke ought not to have been cleared for the presidential primary contest, having not complied with party guidelines to physically present for screening at the national secretariat. Additionally, he prays for an order setting aside the results of the presidential election conducted in Bauchi, Gombe, and Kwara states due to over-voting. He further seeks an order declaring him as the PRP presidential candidate, having complied with all party guidelines and being a registered member. Finally, he asks the court to direct INEC not to recognise Mr Duke as PRP's presidential flagbearer and to recognise Mr Kingsley instead.
Affidavit in Support
In the affidavit supporting the suit, Mr Kingsley stated he is a registered PRP member with membership card number 2A8D8B20B2. He described himself as a politician from Auchi III Ward, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, currently in Abuja. He averred that Mr Duke was not a duly registered member as of 4 May when the party's membership register was submitted to INEC. Mr Kingsley claimed he validly purchased the party's Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the presidency and paid a total of N20 million. He stated that he completed all nomination requirements and was endorsed by the requisite number of registered members. He also said he physically attended the presidential screening exercise conducted by the party between 15 and 19 May 2026 at the national secretariat in Abuja, as stipulated in the aspirants checklist.
Irregularities Alleged
Mr Kingsley expressed surprise that Mr Duke's name appeared as an aspirant despite not physically participating in the screening exercise. He claimed this violated INEC's regulations mandating political parties to submit registered members' names at least 21 days before the primary. He challenged INEC to produce its membership register submitted on 4 May. The aggrieved aspirant alleged that several objections and complaints were raised by party members concerning Mr Duke's eligibility. He further alleged that the presidential primary election was characterised by widespread irregularities and manipulation, with votes in several states exceeding the number of eligible registered members. He attached the result sheet of the primary poll to prove over-voting. He also alleged that his agents were denied effective participation in the collation process. Mr Kingsley stated, "That I verily believe that the purported result declared in favour of 2nd defendant does not represent the lawful votes cast by eligible members of the party. That when unlawful and inflated votes are excluded, I emerge as the aspirant who secured the highest lawful votes in the presidential primary election." (NAN)
