A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 7 for hearing in a suit seeking to nullify former Cross River Governor Donald Duke’s emergence as presidential candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) following serious allegations of eligibility breaches and electoral irregularities.
Dr. Yakubu Kingsley, an aggrieved PRP presidential aspirant, filed the action marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1234/2026 on June 10, naming the PRP as first defendant, Duke as second, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the third.
When the case came up before Justice Mohammed Umar, plaintiff’s counsel Felix Ipogah told the court that an earlier ex parte application for leave to serve Duke had become unnecessary.
Ipogah explained that Duke had already responded by filing a preliminary objection and supporting affidavit, paving the way for substantive hearing.
Justice Umar directed the plaintiff’s counsel to ensure prompt service of hearing notices on all respondents to enable them to appear on the July 7 date.
Kingsley contested the PRP presidential primary conducted on May 25, 2026, with results announced the next day.
The plaintiff asserted that Duke’s name was absent from the party’s membership register submitted to INEC on May 4, 2026, in line with regulatory deadlines requiring such registers at least 21 days before primaries.
He further alleged that Duke did not physically attend the screening held at the national secretariat between May 15 and 19, 2026, despite several formal objections to his eligibility being ignored by the party.
Kingsley highlighted massive over-voting in three states – Bauchi recorded 760 votes against only 593 registered members; Gombe had 1,431 votes with just 348 members; while Kwara showed 82 votes for 55 members.
He argued that cancelling votes from these irregular states would leave him with the highest valid votes cast at the primary.
The plaintiff is praying the court for several reliefs, including nullification of Duke’s nomination, setting aside results from the affected states, a declaration that he is the lawful PRP flagbearer, and an order restraining INEC from recognising Duke as candidate.
The PRP had screened and cleared three presidential aspirants — Duke, Dr Nnaoke Ufere, and Kingsley — ahead of the primary.
The case will decide whether Duke remains on the ballot or is disqualified based on eligibility and procedural rules.
Author
Leave a comment