Court Battle Looms as PRP Aspirant Challenges Donald Duke’s 2027 Candidacy
A presidential aspirant of the Peoples Redemption Party, Yakubu Kingsley, has filed a lawsuit challenging the emergence of former Donald Duke governor as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, names the PRP, Donald Duke, and the Independent National Electoral Commission as defendants. Kingsley is asking the court to nullify Duke’s nomination, alleging that the former governor was not a registered member of the party within the period required by law and party regulations.
According to court documents, the plaintiff argued that Duke should not have been allowed to participate in the PRP presidential primary conducted on May 25 because his name was allegedly not included in the party’s membership register submitted to INEC before the exercise.
Kingsley also challenged the conduct of the primary election, alleging irregularities and over-voting in some states. He claimed that the number of votes recorded in certain locations exceeded the number of registered party members, raising questions about the credibility of the exercise.
In addition, the aspirant alleged that Duke failed to comply with the party’s screening requirements, claiming he did not physically appear for the screening process as stipulated by PRP guidelines.
The plaintiff is seeking an order preventing INEC from recognising Duke as the party’s presidential candidate and wants the court to declare him the rightful flag bearer of the PRP.
The legal challenge comes weeks after Donald Duke was declared winner of the PRP presidential primary, having defeated other contenders for the party’s ticket.
Political analysts say the case could test the party’s internal democratic processes and may influence preparations for the 2027 election if the court rules in favour of the plaintiff. The Federal High Court is expected to hear the matter as legal proceedings commence.
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