The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and other parties in a dispute over the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidacy for the Jos North North Constituency seat in the Plateau State House of Assembly to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.
In a ruling on an ex parte application, Justice Salim Olasupo Ibrahim also restrained Abdulkadir Hassan from parading himself as the APC candidate for the constituency or taking further steps in connection with the disputed nomination pending the hearing of the substantive suit, fixed for August 24, 2026.
The order was made in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1618/2026, filed by Hon. Adamu Aliyu against the APC, Hassan and INEC.
The court directed all parties to preserve the situation as it existed before the dispute pending the final determination of the case.
“An order is made directing all parties in this suit to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Justice Ibrahim held.
Mr Aliyu had approached the court seeking an order restraining INEC from recognising or accepting any action taken by the APC to nominate, screen, clear, list or publish Hassan’s name as the party’s candidate for the Jos North North State Constituency election.
He also sought an order restraining Hassan from parading himself or campaigning as the APC candidate pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
In the alternative, the plaintiff asked the court to direct all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the substantive suit was determined.
After considering the 53-paragraph affidavit filed in support of the application, the exhibits attached to it and the submissions of Aliyu’s counsel, M. B. Abdullahi, Justice Ibrahim granted the alternative relief.
The substantive suit is expected to come up for hearing on August 24, 2026.
