A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit challenging the emergence of former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) for the 2027 general election.
Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed the suit filed by Yakubu Muhammed Kingsley, describing it as incompetent and lacking merit.
Kingsley had questioned Duke’s eligibility, arguing that he was not a registered member of the PRP at the time the party submitted its membership register to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The plaintiff also alleged irregularities and over-voting during the PRP presidential primary election in some states.
Delivering judgment, Justice Umar held that the case was statute-barred, having been filed outside the constitutional timeline for such actions.
The court also ruled that membership of a political party remained an internal affair beyond the court’s jurisdiction.
On allegations of over-voting, the judge held that the plaintiff failed to provide sufficient evidence, including party membership records, accreditation documents and official primary election results, to support his claims.
Consequently, all issues were resolved in favour of Duke, the PRP and INEC, and the suit was dismissed.
