PRP presidential primary heads to court as aspirant challenges Donald Duke’s nomination

A fresh legal battle has erupted within the Peoples Redemption Party following a lawsuit seeking to overturn the emergence of former Donald Duke as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by presidential aspirant Yakubu Kingsley, challenges the validity of the party’s primary election and seeks to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing Duke as the party’s flagbearer.

In the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1234/2026, Kingsley listed the PRP, Donald Duke, and the Independent National Electoral Commission as defendants.

The plaintiff is alleging that the primary election was marred by irregularities, including questions surrounding Duke’s party membership status, alleged breaches of internal screening procedures, and claims of over-voting during the exercise.

According to court documents, Kingsley contends that Duke was not a duly registered member of the party at the time the electoral process began. He further claims that the former Cross River governor’s name was absent from the membership register submitted by the party to INEC before the primary election.

The suit also alleges that Duke failed to comply with certain internal screening requirements expected of aspirants seeking the party’s presidential ticket.

Beyond the membership dispute, Kingsley is challenging the outcome of the primary on grounds of alleged over-voting in several states. He claims that the number of votes recorded in some locations exceeded the number of accredited delegates, thereby undermining the credibility of the exercise.

The aspirant argued that if the disputed votes are excluded from the final tally, he would emerge as the candidate with the highest number of valid votes cast during the primary election.

Consequently, he is asking the court to declare him the rightful winner of the contest and direct INEC to recognize him as the PRP’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.

Reacting to the lawsuit, the party leadership has defended the nomination of Donald Duke, insisting that the primary election was conducted in line with the party’s constitution and relevant electoral guidelines.

PRP National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, dismissed suggestions that Duke’s nomination was irregular, maintaining that the former governor possesses the leadership qualities and national appeal required to lead the party into the 2027 elections.

He also expressed confidence that the party would successfully defend the outcome of the primary election in court.

The case is expected to come up before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, where all parties will present their arguments.

Political observers say the outcome of the case could have significant implications for the PRP’s preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the party seeks to position itself as a viable alternative on the national political stage.

For now, attention remains focused on the courtroom, where the dispute over the party’s presidential ticket is set to be determined.