Court Rejects Challenge to Donald Duke’s PRP Presidential Nomination

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit challenging former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke’s emergence as the Peoples Redemption Party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election. Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that the case, filed by an aggrieved PRP aspirant, Yakubu Kingsley, was statute-barred. The judge upheld preliminary objections raised by Duke and the party and declined jurisdiction over the pre-election dispute.

The judgment concerned a suit filed on 10 June after the results of the party’s 25 May presidential primary were made public. Justice Umar said the action was filed outside the 14-day period prescribed for pre-election cases under Section 285(9) of the Constitution. Kingsley had argued that the period should begin on 6 June, when the party’s appeal committee communicated its decision rejecting his appeal.

The judge rejected that argument and held that the court lacked jurisdiction because the suit was filed late. Justice Umar also considered the substance of the case and dismissed it on its merits. Kingsley had claimed that Duke was not a registered PRP member when the party submitted its membership register to the Independent National Electoral Commission on 4 May.

The judge held that party membership is an internal matter and is not justiciable in the circumstances presented. He also rejected claims that Duke had failed to comply with party guidelines, noting that Kingsley did not produce the guidelines relied upon. The court further found that allegations of over-voting in Bauchi, Gombe and Kwara states were not proved.

Kingsley had asked the court to set aside results from those states, declare him the candidate and direct INEC not to recognise Duke. Those requests were dismissed.