By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. | adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
Editor, DDNews |
The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled July 7, 2026, for the commencement of hearing in the suit filed by an aggrieved aspirant 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 election.
Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date on Monday after counsel to the plaintiff, Felix Ipogah, withdrew an ex parte application seeking leave for substituted service on Duke.
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Ipogah informed the court that the application had become unnecessary as Duke had already filed a preliminary objection and supporting affidavit in response to the suit.
Justice Umar subsequently struck out the application and directed the plaintiff to serve hearing notices on all parties — the PRP, Donald Duke, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — ahead of the next adjourned date.
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The suit was filed by Yakubu Kingsley, a PRP presidential aspirant who contested the party’s primary election held on May 25, 2026. Kingsley is seeking to nullify Duke’s nomination as the party’s flagbearer.
He alleged that Duke did not meet the party’s eligibility requirements, including proper registration as a member and compliance with screening guidelines.
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The plaintiff further claimed that the primary was marred by widespread irregularities, including over-voting in Bauchi, Gombe, and Kwara states. He cited specific discrepancies:
Bauchi: 760 votes cast despite only 593 registered members.
Gombe: 1,431 votes against 348 registered members.
Kwara: 82 votes from a register containing only 55 names.
Kingsley is praying the court to nullify Duke’s nomination, set aside the results from the affected states, declare him the rightful candidate, and restrain INEC from recognising Duke as the PRP’s presidential candidate.
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He maintained that he fulfilled all requirements, paid the mandatory N20 million for expression of interest and nomination forms, secured necessary endorsements, and was duly screened and cleared by the party.
The plaintiff also claimed that Duke’s name was not on the PRP membership register submitted to INEC on May 4, 2026, and that Duke did not physically participate in the screening exercise held between May 15 and 19, 2026.
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This latest development follows a previous adjournment to allow for proper service on Duke. The former governor has now entered appearance by filing a preliminary objection, clearing the way for substantive hearing on July 7.
The case is being closely watched as political parties continue internal positioning and legal battles ahead of the 2027 general elections.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. (Beedee)
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