Court Stops Akuns From Claiming NDC Governorship Ticket in Plateau

(Federal High Court. Photo by Vanguard News)

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

Justice S.T. Ishaya gave the order on September 28 after hearing an ex parte application from Alfred Dapal, a governorship aspirant who is challenging the party's nomination process.

The case, marked FHC/J/CS/87/2026, has Akuns as first defendant, the NDC as second defendant and INEC as third defendant.

The judge ordered Akuns not to announce, publish or present himself as the party's candidate until the court hears and decides the case.

Dapal told the court he was the candidate produced by the NDC at its governorship nomination exercise on September 15 at the party secretariat in Dogon Karfe, Jos North Local Government Area.

He wants the court to stop the NDC, its officials and agents from replacing, withdrawing or removing him as candidate until the case ends.

He also wants the party stopped from sending Akuns' name to INEC in his place, and INEC stopped from accepting, recognising or publishing Akuns' name as the NDC candidate for Plateau State.

He further asked for an order that all parties keep the position that existed after the September 15 nomination exercise until the case is finally decided.

He also asked for a fast hearing because of the deadlines for pre-election cases.

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

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

The order is not a final decision on who should hold the NDC governorship ticket in Plateau State.

The court will still look at the competing claims arising from the party's nomination process.