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.

Kaduna State Basketball Association Chairman Ahmed Tijjani has challenged whoever emerges in the forthcoming Nigeria Basketball Federation elections to make reconciliation a priority, insisting Nigerian basketball cannot reach its potential while stakeholders remain divided.

The NBBF Elective Congress is scheduled for October 15, 2026 in Abuja, when a new board for the 2026–2030 cycle is expected to emerge. The timetable was unanimously approved at the federation’s Extraordinary Congress in Yola, attended by 39 of 44 accredited delegates.

For Tijjani, however, electing new officials will mean little unless the incoming leadership succeeds in bringing together a basketball community that has endured years of administrative disagreements.

The Kaduna basketball chief wants aspirants to look beyond the contest for positions and concentrate on restoring stability, expanding competitions and creating opportunities for young players.

His intervention carries particular weight given Nigerian basketball’s recent history. The federation has previously endured damaging leadership disputes, including the crisis surrounding the 2021 electoral process, when the then Sports Ministry suspended an elective congress because of what it described as lingering factionalisation.

Tijjani believes the next administration must leave that culture behind.

He has also called for a stronger grassroots programme, particularly through schools and age-grade competitions, arguing that basketball can provide opportunities for young Nigerians while creating a sustainable talent pipeline for the national teams.

“We want to get basketball to every level and every age-grade level so we can engage these kids,” Tijjani said recently while speaking for North-West basketball stakeholders.

He also wants greater opportunities created for girls and believes whoever takes control of the federation should build on existing achievements rather than begin another cycle of internal battles.

The October election will mark the end of Musa Kida’s tenure, with the incumbent confirming that he will not seek a third term and promising a free and transparent transition. Elections for players, technical and other affiliate representatives are scheduled between October 7 and 14 before the main congress.

Several interests are already gathering around the race, including former D’Tigers star Ejike Ugboaja and Energy Commission of Nigeria Director-General Mustapha Abdullahi, increasing attention on the direction the federation will take after October 15.

For Tijjani, though, the first assignment for whoever wins is bigger than an electoral victory: Bring Nigerian basketball together, end the cycle of conflict and make development rather than division, the defining story of the next NBBF administration.