A presidential aspirant of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Yakubu Kingsley, has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging the emergence of former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general elections.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1234/2026, Kingsley, through his counsel D.A. Sulyman, named the PRP as the first defendant, Donald Duke as the second, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the third.
The plaintiff is seeking to nullify Duke’s victory at the May 25 primary (declared on May 26), arguing that the former governor was not a registered member of the PRP at the time required by law and party guidelines.
Specifically, Kingsley claims Duke was not listed in the party’s membership register submitted to INEC on May 4.
Failure to physically appear for screening at the party’s national secretariat, contrary to screening guidelines.
Over-voting in several states, including Bauchi (593 registered members but 760 votes cast), Gombe (348 registered vs. 1,431 votes), and Kwara (55 registered vs. 82 votes).
Kingsley is asking the court to declare him the validly nominated PRP presidential candidate, having purchased nomination forms for N20 million, met all requirements, secured necessary endorsements, attended screening, and been cleared to contest.
He claims that excluding irregular votes would show him as the winner with the highest lawful votes.
He is also seeking an order restraining INEC from recognizing Duke and directing the commission to recognize him instead as the party’s flagbearer.
The Federal High Court has fixed June 22, 2026, for the hearing of the matter before Justice Mohammed Umar.
