The Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, has issued an interim order preventing Jonathan Akuns from parading himself as the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in the 2027 election.
Justice S.T. Ishaya granted the order on September 28 while ruling on an ex parte application brought by Alfred Dapal, who is challenging the outcome of the party’s governorship nomination process.
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 barred from announcing, publishing or otherwise presenting himself as the NDC’s Plateau governorship candidate pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
Dapal told the court that he emerged as the party’s candidate at its governorship nomination exercise conducted on September 15 at the NDC secretariat in Dogon Karfe, Jos North Local Government Area.
He is seeking an order preventing the NDC, its officials and agents from replacing, withdrawing or removing his name as the party’s candidate while the legal dispute remains unresolved.
The plaintiff is also asking the court to stop the party from forwarding Akuns’ name to INEC as its governorship candidate in his stead.
In addition, Dapal wants INEC restrained from accepting, recognising, publishing or taking any action based on Akuns’ name as the NDC candidate for Plateau State.
He further requested an order compelling the parties to preserve the position that existed immediately after the September 15 nomination exercise until the suit is determined.
Dapal also sought an accelerated hearing, citing the statutory timelines governing pre-election matters.
In his ruling, Justice Ishaya held that the application had succeeded in part and adjourned the matter until October 5 for hearing.
The order was signed by Justice Ishaya and issued under the seal of the Federal High Court by the Registrar, Chioma A. Eze.
The interim order does not constitute a final determination of who is entitled to the NDC governorship ticket in Plateau State. The court is yet to determine the competing claims arising from the party’s nomination exercise.
