A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned until June 29 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, instituted by fellow presidential aspirant Yakubu Kingsley, came up for hearing before Justice Mohammed Umar on Monday. However, proceedings could not continue after the plaintiff informed the court that Donald Duke had not yet been personally served with the originating court processes.
Counsel to the plaintiff told the court that while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had already been served, efforts to effect service on Duke had not been successful. The lawyer subsequently sought permission to file an application for substituted service, a legal procedure that allows court documents to be delivered through alternative means when direct service becomes difficult.
Justice Umar granted the request and adjourned the matter until June 29 for further mention and consideration of the application.
The lawsuit is the latest development in an internal dispute within the PRP following the party’s presidential primary election. Kingsley is challenging the validity of Duke’s emergence as the party’s standard-bearer, alleging that the former governor did not meet key requirements necessary to contest the primary election.
According to court documents, the plaintiff claims that Duke was not a registered member of the party at the time the PRP submitted its membership register to the Independent National Electoral Commission. Kingsley argues that this alone renders Duke ineligible to have participated in the primary election.
The suit also raises concerns over alleged irregularities during the conduct of the primary. The plaintiff alleges that several states recorded votes that exceeded the number of registered party members, suggesting widespread over-voting and manipulation of the process.
Kingsley further contends that Duke failed to personally attend the party’s mandatory screening exercise conducted at the national secretariat in Abuja before the primary election. He maintains that he fulfilled all requirements stipulated by the party, participated in the screening process, and was duly cleared to contest.
In the suit, the plaintiff is asking the court to declare Duke’s emergence as the PRP presidential candidate unlawful and invalid. He is also seeking an order directing INEC not to recognize Duke as the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 presidential election.
Additionally, Kingsley wants the court to nullify votes from states where alleged irregularities occurred and declare him the rightful winner of the presidential primary.
The legal challenge has added another layer of uncertainty to the PRP’s preparations ahead of the 2027 elections, with political observers closely monitoring the outcome of the case.
The matter is expected to resume on June 29, when the court will consider issues relating to service of court documents and potentially set the stage for substantive arguments on the eligibility of Donald Duke and the validity of the party’s presidential primary.
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