Court restrains NDC, INEC from recognising Plateau governorship candidate

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

Justice S.T. Ishaya issued the order on September 28 following an ex parte application filed by Alfred Dapal, a governorship aspirant challenging the outcome of the party’s 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.

Justice Ishaya ordered Akuns not to announce, publish or otherwise present himself as the NDC governorship candidate for Plateau State pending the determination of the case.

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

He is asking the court to restrain the NDC, its officials and agents from replacing, withdrawing or removing him as the party’s candidate pending the determination of the suit.

Dapal also wants the court to stop the NDC from submitting Akuns’ name to INEC as its governorship candidate in his place.

He further asked the court to prevent INEC 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 directing all parties to maintain the status quo arising from the September 15 nomination exercise until the case is finally determined.

The plaintiff also requested an accelerated hearing of the case, citing the statutory deadlines governing pre-election matters.

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

The 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 amount to a final determination of who should hold the NDC governorship ticket in Plateau State, as the court is yet to determine the substantive issues arising from the party’s nomination process.