PRP Crisis Deepens As Court Sets New Hearing Date In Suit Against Donald Duke

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of a suit challenging the emergence of former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, as the presidential candidate of the People’s Redemption Party.

According to Ireporter Online, the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1234/2026, was adjourned until June 29 for mention and hearing of a motion seeking substituted service after the defendants failed to appear in court.

When the matter came up before Justice Mohammed Umar on Monday, only counsel to the plaintiff, Abdullahi Muhammad, was present. The lawyer, who represents PRP presidential aspirant Yakubu Kingsley, informed the court that while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been served, efforts to serve the former governor had been unsuccessful.

He therefore requested an adjournment to enable the plaintiff file a motion for substituted service on the second defendant, a request the court granted.

Counsel to the PRP, Donald Duke, and INEC were absent when the case was called.

The suit, filed through counsel D.A. Sulyman, challenges the validity of Duke’s nomination as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. The plaintiff is asking the court to determine whether Duke was validly returned following the party’s primary election held on May 25, whose result was announced on May 26.

Kingsley contends that Duke was not a registered member of the party at the time the PRP submitted its membership register to INEC on May 4, and therefore was not eligible to participate in the primary.

He is also seeking an order nullifying the results of the party’s presidential primaries conducted in Bauchi, Gombe, and Kwara over alleged irregularities, including over-voting, and is asking the court to declare him the rightful candidate of the PRP for the 2027 presidential election.