Court to hear suit challenging Donald Duke’s presidential candidacy Monday

The Federal High Court in Abuja is set to hear a legal challenge against the presidential candidacy of former Governor Donald Duke of Rivers State, who has been nominated as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) for the upcoming 2027 general elections. The lawsuit, filed by Dr. Yakubu Kingsley, an aspiring presidential candidate within the PRP, seeks to question the legitimacy of Duke's selection and the conduct of the party's internal primaries.

The case, marked as FHC/ABJ/CS/1234/2026, was filed on June 10 and is scheduled to be heard for the first time on Monday before Judge Mohammed Umar. Legal notices have already been served to all relevant parties, including the PRP, Donald Duke, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Kingsley, represented by his lawyer D.A. Sulyman, has raised several issues in the suit, primarily centered around procedural irregularities and potential violations of the PRP’s internal regulations during the primary process.

Kingsley argues that Duke was not a registered member of the PRP as of May 4, the date when the party submitted its membership register to INEC. This, according to the plaintiff, disqualifies Duke from participating in the primary election, which took place on May 25 and concluded on May 26. Additionally, Kingsley claims that there were significant discrepancies in the voting figures across certain states. For instance, in Bauchi State, the number of registered members listed in the PRP's database was 593, yet the total votes recorded were 760. Similarly, in Gombe State, the registered members were 348, but the votes cast reached 1,431, and in Kwara State, the registered members numbered 55, while the votes tallied at 82. These inconsistencies, Kingsley asserts, raise serious concerns about the integrity of the primary election and could warrant its annulment.

Furthermore, Kingsley contends that Duke did not adhere to the PRP’s guidelines regarding participation in the screening process. Specifically, he alleges that Duke did not attend the mandatory screening sessions conducted by the party between May 15 and 19, 2026, at the PRP’s national secretariat in Abuja. This absence, according to the plaintiff, should have disqualified Duke from contesting the primary election. Kingsley maintains that he, on the other hand, fulfilled all the necessary criteria, including purchasing the required forms and paying the prescribed fees, and was duly endorsed by the required number of registered members of the party.

In his affidavit supporting the suit, Kingsley identifies himself as a registered member of the PRP with membership card number 2A8D8B20B2. He describes himself as a politician based in Auchi III Ward, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, though currently residing in Abuja. He swore under oath that Duke was not a legitimate member of the PRP as of May 4, when the party submitted its membership register to INEC. Kingsley further stated that he had validly acquired the party’s Expression of Interest Form and Nomination Form for the presidency, along with the required payment of N20 million to the PRP. He affirmed that he met all the nomination requirements and received endorsements from the necessary number of registered members as mandated by the party’s guidelines.

Kingsley detailed that he attended the presidential screening exercise conducted by the PRP between May 15 and 19, 2026, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, as outlined in the Aspirants Checklist for Screening. He claimed that he was properly evaluated and cleared by the party to participate in the primary election on May 25. However, he expressed disbelief upon discovering that Duke’s name appeared among the candidates despite his absence from the screening process.

As the court prepares to hear this case, the implications could extend beyond just the PRP’s internal affairs, potentially affecting the broader political landscape leading up to the 2027 general elections. The outcome of this legal battle might influence how future primary elections are conducted and perceived within Nigerian politics, particularly concerning adherence to party regulations and transparency in electoral processes. Both Kingsley and the PRP are likely to present their respective arguments, each seeking validation from the court. The ruling could set a precedent for similar disputes in the future, emphasizing the importance of strict compliance with both legal and internal party procedures in the democratic process.