2027: Court dismisses suit challenging ex-governor Duke’s emergence as PRP’s presidential candidate

A federal court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit brought forth by Engr. Yakubu Muhammad Kingsley against the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), its candidate Donald Duke, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Abdulhakeem Ago Abdullahi, Assistant National Legal Adviser of PRP, disclosed the court's decision in a statement on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

The court upheld the preliminary objection raised by PRP and Duke, maintaining that Kingsley initiated the suit outside the prescribed time period as outlined in the Constitution. The court further dismissed Kingsley's claims regarding Duke's alleged membership in PRP, ruling that membership of a political party falls within the internal affairs of the party and thus outside the court's jurisdiction.

The plaintiff also failed to submit the party guidelines purportedly breached during PRP's screening process. Additionally, Kingsley could not provide the party's membership register, accreditation records, and primary election results to support his allegation of over-voting in the PRP primary elections held in Bauchi, Gombe, and Kwara states. Consequently, the court dismissed the lawsuit, ruling in favor of the PRP, Donald Duke, and INEC.