Federal High Court for Abuja go hear case on Monday wey one aspirant, Kingsley, bring challenge against emergence of former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, as Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate for 2027 general elections.
Suit wey dem file on June 10, 2026 and mark FHC/ABJ/CS/1234/2026 join PRP, Duke and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as first, second and third respondents. Justice Mohammed Umar go handle the matter, and both parties don receive hearing notices.
Plaintiff, for the originating summons, want court to decide whether Duke fit be PRP presidential candidate wen dem return am as winner of May 25 primary election, wey dem declare result on May 26, since Duke no be registered member of the party as at May 4, wen PRP submit membership register to INEC.
Kingsley also challenge alleged over-voting for states like Bauchi, where registered members for party database na 593 but total votes cast na 760. For Gombe State, registered member na 348 and votes cast na 1,431. For Kwara State, registered members na 55 while votes cast na 82. Plaintiff argue say he no go call for nullification of the primary election but want court to declare say Duke no fit participate for primary since he no be registered member.
Plaintiff seek declaration say Duke ought not to have been cleared for presidential primary contest because he no comply with party guidelines to physically present for screening at national secretariat. Kingsley also pray court for order to set aside results of presidential election for Bauchi, Gombe and Kwara states on ground of over-voting.
He seek order declaring am as PRP presidential candidate since he comply with all party guidelines and be registered member. He also want court to direct INEC not to recognize Duke as PRP presidential flagbearer or delete im name from database, and instead recognize Kingsley as candidate.
For affidavit in support of suit, Kingsley say he be registered member of PRP with membership card number 2A8D8B20B2. He describe imself as politician from Auchi III Ward, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, but presently for Abuja, FCT.
He swear on oath say Duke no be duly member of PRP as at May 4 wen party submit membership register to INEC. Kingsley say he validly purchase party Expression of Interest Form and Nomination Form for office of president of Federal Republic of Nigeria and pay total sum of N20 million to party.
He state say he duly complete all nomination requirements and get endorsement by requisite number of registered members as party guidelines require. He physically attend presidential screening exercise conducted by party between May 15 and 19, 2026 at National Secretariat of first defendant for Abuja as stipulated in Aspirants Checklist for Screening.
He say dem screen and clear am to contest presidential primary election on May 25. But to im utmost surprise, name of second defendant (Duke) appear as aspirant despite fact say Duke no physically participate for screening exercise together with other aspirants at National Secretariat.
He say this go against INEC extant regulations and guidelines wey mandate political parties to submit names of registered members at least 21 days before conduct of party primary. Kingsley challenge INEC to produce membership register wey dem submit as at May 4.
He allege say party members raise several objections and complaints concerning eligibility of Duke. Besides, aggrieved aspirant say presidential primary election get widespread irregularities and manipulation. For several states, votes returned exceed total number of eligible registered members for party register.
Kingsley attach result sheet of presidential primary poll to prove allegation of over voting. He also say im agents and representatives report instances where dem deny dem effective participation for collation process. He say he believe say result wey dem declare for Duke no represent lawful votes cast by eligible members of party.
When unlawful and inflated votes dey excluded, he emerge as aspirant wey secure highest lawful votes for presidential primary election, he say. He depose to affidavit in good faith believing contents to be true and correct in accordance with Oaths Act.
