A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 7 for the hearing of a suit challenging the emergence of Donald Duke as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
The case was brought by another aspirant in the party, Yakubu Kingsley, who is asking the court to invalidate Duke’s nomination on the grounds that he allegedly failed to satisfy the requirements for the contest.
During proceedings, counsel for the claimant, Felix Ipogah, told Justice Mohammed Umar that the motion seeking permission to serve court papers on Duke had become unnecessary because the former Cross River State Governor had already responded to the suit by filing a preliminary objection and an affidavit.
Ipogah subsequently withdrew the ex-parte application, which the judge struck out.
Justice Umar also directed that hearing notices be served on the PRP, Duke and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the next adjourned date.
In the claimants originating summons, he said he met all the conditions for the race, including payment of N20 million for the expression of interest and nomination forms, submission of the required endorsements and successful screening by the party.
He alleged that Duke’s name was not contained in the PRP membership register submitted to INEC on May 4, 2026, contrary to electoral rules requiring political parties to forward such registers at least 21 days before primaries.
The plaintiff further claimed that Duke did not personally appear for the screening exercise held at the party’s national secretariat between May 15 and 19, 2026, despite objections being raised against his qualification.
He is asking the court for several orders, including the cancellation of Duke’s nomination, the nullification of results from the affected states, a declaration that he is the valid PRP flagbearer and an order restraining INEC from recognising Duke.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
