A Federal High Court in Abuja has rescheduled the hearing of a lawsuit contesting the selection of former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, as the presidential flagbearer for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). The proceedings have been pushed to June 29 due to the absence of legal representation for the defendants.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

During Monday’s session before Justice Mohammed Umar, only the plaintiff’s counsel, Abdullahi Muhammad, appeared. Representing PRP presidential aspirant Yakubu Kingsley, Muhammad informed the court that while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had received the originating summons, they have yet to successfully serve Donald Duke. Consequently, the court granted Muhammad’s request for a short adjournment to allow for a motion seeking substituted service on the former governor. Counsel for the PRP, Duke, and INEC were notably absent when the case was called.

Background of the Dispute The lawsuit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1234/2026), initiated by Yakubu Kingsley via his lawyer D.A. Sulyman, challenges the legitimacy of Duke’s candidacy for the 2027 general elections. In his June 10 filing, Kingsley questions the validity of Duke’s victory in the May 25 primary election.

Key arguments presented by the plaintiff include:

• Membership Eligibility: The plaintiff contends that Duke was not a registered member of the PRP as of May 4, the date the party’s membership register was submitted to INEC, and therefore ineligible to participate in the primary.

• Irregularities: The suit seeks to nullify the presidential primary results in Bauchi, Gombe, and Kwara states, citing alleged instances of over-voting.

• Requested Relief: Kingsley is asking the court to disqualify Duke and declare him (Kingsley) as the rightful presidential candidate for the PRP in the 2027 election.

The court has scheduled the hearing for the motion on substituted service and further mentions for June 29.

Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi recently provided a glimpse into his modest lifestyle, revealing that he primarily resides in a single-bedroom apartment, even though he owns a spacious family home in Onitsha. During a tour with the Advocacy for Good Governance, Obi explained that the larger property was built to accommodate his wife, Margaret Obi’s, preference for a bigger home. To reach a compromise, the couple agreed to include a separate one-bedroom suite for his personal use. Obi noted that this apartment contains all his essentials and serves as his primary living space, while he only visits the main house when his wife is present.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Peter Obi is challenging traditional ideas of luxury for a former governor. During a recent home tour, he shared that despite owning a large house in Onitsha, he prefers to live in a simple one-bedroom and parlor apartment. According to Obi, the large house was his wife Margaret’s dream, and they reached a unique compromise: she would have her big house, but he would have his own compact space. He emphasized that this small apartment holds everything he needs, and he rarely even enters the larger part of the home unless his wife is there to host him.

Focus on the Compromise The distinct living arrangements of former Governor Peter Obi offer insight into his relationship and personal values. Obi revealed that the expansive family home in Onitsha was built largely to satisfy his wife Margaret’s preference for a bigger residence. As a compromise, the couple incorporated a one-bedroom apartment specifically for Obi’s use. He explained that this modest suite functions as his primary home, containing all his belongings, while the larger house remains reserved for his wife’s comfort—a space he only utilizes when she is in town.

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Wole Oluyede, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the recent Ekiti State governorship election, has formally rejected the poll’s results, arguing that they do not represent the genuine will of the voters. This rejection followed a reported closed-door meeting between Oluyede and Governor Biodun Oyebanji at the governor’s residence in Ikere-Ekiti.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Previously, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Governor Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner, noting he secured 319,224 votes. In the final tally, Oluyede placed second with 40,543 votes, followed by Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) with 12,872 votes.

Allegations of Electoral Malpractice The Oluyede Campaign Organisation, represented by its Director of Media and Communications, Sanya Atofarati, issued a statement on Monday challenging the legitimacy of the process. Key concerns raised include:

• Systemic Compromise: The campaign cited widespread issues, including voter intimidation, harassment of opposition members, and vote-buying, which they believe undermined the credibility of the election.

• Biased Security Conduct: Atofarati alleged that certain security operatives failed to maintain neutrality, thereby damaging public trust in the integrity of the exercise.

• Predetermined Outcome: The organisation expressed the view that the entire election appeared to be prearranged.

Moving forward, the campaign has called for calm among its supporters while it consults on the next steps, emphasizing a commitment to seeking justice through lawful and democratic channels.