Court Restrains NDC, INEC From Recognising Governorship Candidate

The Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, has barred Jonathan Akuns from presenting himself as the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election pending the determination of a suit challenging the party’s nomination process.

Justice S.T. Ishaya issued the interim order on September 28 following an ex parte application filed by Alfred Dapal, an aspirant who is contesting the outcome of the NDC governorship nomination exercise.

The suit, marked FHC/J/CS/87/2026, lists Akuns as the first defendant, the NDC as the second defendant and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the third defendant.

Under the order, Akuns is prohibited from announcing, publishing or otherwise presenting himself as the NDC governorship candidate for Plateau State until the court hears and determines the case.

Dapal told the court that he emerged as the candidate of the NDC at the party’s governorship nomination exercise held on September 15 at the party secretariat in Dogon Karfe, Jos North Local Government Area.

He is seeking orders preventing the NDC, its officials and agents from replacing, withdrawing or removing his name as the party’s candidate pending the determination of the suit.

The plaintiff is also asking the court to stop the NDC from forwarding Akuns’ name to INEC as its candidate for the governorship election.

Dapal further wants INEC restrained from accepting, recognising, publishing or acting on Akuns’ name as the NDC governorship candidate for Plateau State.

Another relief sought by the plaintiff is an order requiring the parties to maintain the position that existed immediately after the September 15 nomination exercise until the case is finally determined.

He also asked the court to give the matter an accelerated hearing because of the statutory timelines governing pre-election cases.

Justice Ishaya ruled that the application had succeeded in part and adjourned the case until October 5 for further hearing.

The interim order was signed by the judge and issued under the seal of the Federal High Court by the Registrar, Chioma A. Eze.

The order does not constitute a final ruling on who will represent the NDC in the Plateau State governorship election. The court is yet to determine the competing claims arising from the party’s nomination process.