A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned a suit challenging the emergence of former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
The case was adjourned till June 29 following the absence of counsel representing the defendants in the matter.
When the case came up before Justice Mohammed Umar on Monday, only the plaintiff’s counsel, Abdullahi Muhammad, was present in court.
Muhammad, who represents PRP presidential aspirant, Yakubu Kingsley, told the court that although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been served with the originating summons, the plaintiff had not been able to serve Duke.
He subsequently prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable the plaintiff move a motion for substituted service of court processes on the former governor.
“We, therefore, pray my lord for a short adjournment in order to move a motion for a substituted service on the 2nd defendant,” Muhammad said.
Justice Umar granted the request and adjourned the matter till June 29 for mention and hearing of the motion for substituted service.
Counsel to the PRP, Duke and INEC were not in court when the matter was called.
Kingsley had filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1234/2026 against the PRP, Duke and INEC as first to third defendants respectively.
The suit, filed through D.A. Sulyman, seeks to challenge Duke’s declaration as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
In the originating summons filed on June 10, Kingsley asked the court to determine whether Duke was validly returned as the PRP presidential candidate following the May 25 primary election, whose result was declared on May 26.
The plaintiff argued that Duke was allegedly not a registered member of the party as of May 4, when the PRP membership register was submitted to INEC.
He is seeking a declaration that the former governor, not being a registered member of the PRP, could not lawfully participate in the party’s presidential primary.
Kingsley is also asking the court to set aside the results of the presidential primary elections conducted in Bauchi, Gombe and Kwara over alleged over-voting.
He further prayed the court to declare him the presidential candidate of the PRP for the 2027 general elections.
