Court restrains NDC, INEC from replacing Plateau candidate

On September 28, the Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, issued an order restraining the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from acknowledging Jonathan Akuns as their governorship candidate for the 2027 election. The judge, S.T. Ishaya, made the ruling after hearing an ex parte application from challenger Alfred Dapal.

Dapal claims that he was the successful candidate produced by the NDC during their governorship nomination exercise held on September 15 in Dogon Karfe, Jos North Local Government Area. He is seeking the court's intervention to prevent the NDC, its officials, and the INEC from replacing, withdrawing, or removing him as the party's candidate and from accepting his name as the NDC candidate for the Plateau State governorship.

The judge also directed all parties to maintain the position from the September 15 nomination exercise until the case is decided. The order is not a final verdict on who should hold the NDC governorship ticket in Plateau State, but rather an interim measure while the court considers the competing claims arising from the party's nomination process.