A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 7 for hearing in a legal dispute challenging the emergence of former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
The case was filed by PRP presidential aspirant Yakubu Kingsley, who is contesting Duke’s nomination, alleging that the former governor did not meet key eligibility requirements, including valid party membership registration and compliance with screening procedures.
Kingsley is also challenging the outcome of the party’s presidential primary, alleging irregularities such as over-voting in several states, which he claims distorted the final result in favour of Duke.
When the matter came up on Monday before Justice Mohammed Umar, counsel to the plaintiff, Felix Ipogah, initially sought permission to serve court documents on the defendants, including the PRP, Duke, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, he later withdrew the application after the court noted that the defendants had already filed responses, including a preliminary objection.
Justice Umar subsequently struck out the ex parte application and ordered that hearing notices be served on all parties ahead of the July 7 proceeding.
In his originating summons, Kingsley alleged that Duke’s name was not included in the PRP membership register submitted to INEC before the statutory deadline and also claimed that Duke did not participate in the party’s screening exercise held at its national secretariat.
He further alleged discrepancies in delegate voting figures across states such as Bauchi, Gombe, and Kwara, arguing that the exclusion of the alleged irregular votes would place him as the rightful winner of the primary.
The defendants in the suit included the PRP, Donald Duke, and INEC, with Kingsley seeking among other reliefs the nullification of Duke’s candidacy and recognition of himself as the party’s legitimate flagbearer
