Court orders status quo in APC Plateau Assembly candidacy dispute

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and all parties involved 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.

Justice Salim Olasupo Ibrahim, while ruling on an ex parte application, restrained Abdulkadir Hassan from presenting himself as the APC candidate or taking any further steps related to the disputed nomination until the matter is resolved.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1618/2026, was filed by Adamu Aliyu against the APC, Hassan and INEC. The court directed all parties to preserve the existing situation pending the final determination of the case.

According to the ruling, “all parties in this suit shall maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the final determination of the substantive suit.”

Aliyu had asked the court to stop INEC from recognising or accepting any action by the APC to nominate, screen, clear, list or publish Hassan’s name as the party’s candidate for the constituency election.

He also sought an order preventing Hassan from parading himself or campaigning as the APC candidate pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

After reviewing the 53-paragraph affidavit, supporting exhibits and arguments presented by Aliyu’s counsel, M.B. Abdullahi, Justice Ibrahim granted the alternative relief and fixed August 24, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.