Court Restrains NDC, INEC From Recognising Top Governorship Candidate

Court Restrains NDC, INEC From Recognising Top Governorship Candidate

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

Justice S.T. Ishaya issued the order on September 28 after considering an ex parte application filed by Alfred Dapal, a governorship aspirant challenging 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.

The judge ordered Mr Akuns not to announce, publish or otherwise present himself as the NDC governorship candidate until the court hears and determines the case.

Mr Dapal told the court that he was 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 stop the NDC, its officials and agents from replacing, withdrawing or removing him as the party’s candidate until the case is decided.

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