Court Postpones Hearing in Suit Challenging Donald Duke’s Presidential Candidacy

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until June 29 a legal challenge aimed at nullifying the nomination of former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, as the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Justice Mohammed Umar rescheduled the hearing on Monday after the plaintiff’s legal team requested more time to file a motion for substituted service. The court was informed that while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been served with the legal papers, efforts to officially notify Duke have so far been unsuccessful.

The lawsuit was initiated by Dr. Yakubu Kingsley, a fellow PRP presidential aspirant, who is seeking to overturn the outcome of the party’s May 25 primary election. In his filing, Kingsley challenges Duke’s eligibility, alleging that the former governor was not a registered member of the party at the time the official membership register was submitted to INEC on May 4.

Furthermore, the plaintiff alleges that the primary election process was compromised by widespread irregularities, specifically citing instances of over-voting in Bauchi, Gombe, and Kwara states. According to the court documents, Kingsley claims that the total votes recorded in these states significantly exceeded the number of registered party members, and he is calling for the nullification of those results.

Kingsley also contends that Duke failed to adhere to party protocols by allegedly not appearing in person for the mandatory presidential screening exercise held in Abuja between May 15 and 19. The plaintiff, who asserts that he successfully completed the screening process, is asking the court to disqualify Duke and declare him the party’s rightful presidential flagbearer.

The court is expected to hear the application for substituted service when the matter resumes on June 29.