Court stops NDC, INEC from changing Plateau candidate

The Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, has stopped Jonathan Akuns from claiming he is the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election.

Justice S.T. Ishaya gave the order on 28 September after Alfred Dapal, a governorship aspirant, filed an application against the party’s nomination process.

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

In the order, Justice Ishaya barred Mr Akuns from announcing, publishing, or presenting himself as the NDC governorship candidate until the case is heard and decided.

The court’s order came after it reviewed the motion, a six-paragraph affidavit from Oscar Mbangmbang, a resident of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, and arguments from the plaintiff's lawyer, C.B. Ameh.

Mr Dapal told the court that he was the candidate chosen by the NDC during its governorship nomination event on 15 September at the party’s secretariat in Dogon Karfe, Jos North Local Government Area.

He is asking for a court order to stop the NDC, its officers, and agents from replacing, withdrawing, or removing him as the party’s governorship candidate while the case is ongoing.

Mr Dapal also wants the court to stop the NDC from sending Mr Akuns’ name to INEC as its governorship candidate instead of him.

Additionally, he is seeking an order to prevent INEC from accepting, recognizing, publishing, or acting on Mr Akuns’ name as the NDC governorship candidate for Plateau State.

He is asking the court to maintain the status quo regarding the 15 September nomination event until the case is fully resolved.

The plaintiff also requested an urgent hearing of the case due to the timelines set for pre-election matters.

Justice Ishaya ruled that the application was partly successful and postponed the case until 5 October for further hearing.

The order was signed by the presiding judge and issued under the court's seal by the Registrar, Chioma A. Eze.

This order does not settle the overall dispute about the NDC’s governorship ticket.

The main issues, including the conflicting claims from the party’s nomination process, are still before the court.

This case adds to the ongoing disagreement over the NDC’s governorship ticket in Plateau State as the 2027 election approaches.