Court to rule on Duke's PRP candidacy as rival challenges membership status

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja will preside over proceedings challenging Donald Duke's nomination as the People's Redemption Party's presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The case, filed under reference FHC ABJ CS 1234/2026, names Duke, the PRP, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and others as defendants.

The hearing is scheduled for Monday, June 10, 2026. Yakubu Muham Kingslei, himself an aspirant within the PRP, initiated the legal action through his lawyer D.

Sulyman. Kingslei's suit contests Duke's eligibility on grounds that the former governor was not a registered member of the party at the time required by law.

The primary elections from which Duke emerged as the party's flagbearer took place on May 25, 2026, with results announced on May 26. Kingslei contends that Duke's membership registration was not complete by May 4, the deadline when the PRP submitted its membership register to INEC.

The suit seeks three forms of relief from the court. Kingslei is asking the judge to determine whether Duke was validly returned as the PRP's presidential candidate following the May 25 primary election.

He also seeks a declaration that Duke has not been registered as a party member in accordance with statutory requirements. The third relief requested is a nullification of Duke's emergence as the party's standard-bearer for the 2027 race.

The case represents one of several post-primary disputes that have emerged within Nigerian political parties ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Duke, who previously served as governor of Cross River State, secured the PRP's nomination despite the membership status questions now being litigated.

The outcome of Monday's hearing will determine whether Duke can proceed as the party's official candidate or whether the court orders his removal from that position.