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

Justice S.T. Ishaya issued the order on September 28 after considering an ex parte application filed by Alfred Dapal, a governorship aspirant challenging the party’s nomination process.

The case, marked FHC/J/CS/87/2026, has Mr Akuns as the first defendant, the NDC as the second defendant and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the third defendant.

The judge ordered Mr Akuns not to announce, publish or otherwise present himself as the NDC governorship candidate until the court hears and determines the case.

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

He is asking the court to stop the NDC, its officials and agents from replacing, withdrawing or removing him as the party’s candidate until the case is decided.

He also wants the court to stop the NDC from submitting Mr Akuns’ name to INEC as its governorship candidate in his place.

Mr Dapal further asked the court to prevent INEC from accepting, recognising, publishing or acting on Mr Akuns’ name as the NDC candidate for Plateau State.

Another request seeks an order directing all parties to maintain the position that existed after the September 15 nomination exercise until the case is finally determined.

The plaintiff also asked for an accelerated hearing because of the statutory deadlines for pre-election cases.

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

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

The order does not amount to a final decision on who should hold the NDC governorship ticket in Plateau State. The court will still consider the competing claims arising from the party’s nomination process.

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Public servants across Nigeria have been directed to embark on a three-day nationwide warning strike from Friday, October 2, to Sunday, October 4, 2026, following a directive by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC).

The directive, contained in a circular dated October 1, 2026, reportedly instructed the council’s national and state leadership to mobilise workers across the Federal, State and Local Government services for the industrial action. 

The development follows the expiration of a September 30 deadline given to the Federal Government by the workers’ council to address their concerns over the rising cost of living and worsening economic hardship.

Key Demands

The JNPSNC is demanding:

🔹 Reduction of petrol prices to ₦500 per litre

🔹 Immediate wage award for workers to cushion the impact of rising living costs

🔹 Commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage ahead of 2027

🔹 Urgent measures to ease economic hardship affecting workers, their dependants and vulnerable Nigerians. 

According to reports, the council had earlier written to President Bola Tinubu on September 21, 2026, outlining its demands and warning that failure to address them by September 30 would trigger the planned industrial action. 

Strike Comes After Independence Day Address

The declaration comes shortly after President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address on October 1, during which he said reducing the cost of living remains a priority of his administration.

The President highlighted measures including increased agricultural production, improved transportation infrastructure, reduced production costs and job creation as part of efforts to improve living conditions.

However, reports indicate that the specific demands raised by the JNPSNC were not addressed in the Independence Day speech, following which the council proceeded with its strike directive. 

What This Means

The directive covers public servants in federal, state and local government services, including workers across government ministries, departments and agencies.

For residents in Plateau State, the development could affect the operations of some government offices and public services from Friday, depending on the level of compliance by workers and the specific institutions involved.

Important: The announced action is a three-day warning strike, scheduled to run from October 2 to October 4, rather than an indefinite strike. Reports currently describe it as a planned nationwide industrial action by public servants under the JNPSNC. 

Jos Events | Keeping Jos & Plateau Informed.