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.
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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.
Yusuf Abdullahi Itas, a member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly representing Itas/Gadau State Constituency, has withdrawn from the 2027 general election. Itas, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), announced his decision in a letter dated October 5, 2026, addressed to the party’s state chairman.
In the letter titled, “Withdrawal of Candidature for the Itas/Gadau State Constituency Seat in the Bauchi State House of Assembly,” the lawmaker formally informed the party that he would no longer contest the seat in the 2027 election.
He described his decision as “entirely voluntary and personal”.
He thanked the APM leadership and its members for giving him the opportunity to represent the party.
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Itas also expressed appreciation to residents of the constituency for their encouragement and support during his time in office.
The lawmaker is the Chairman of the House Committee on Petitions and Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
His withdrawal comes less than three weeks after the Bauchi Assembly Chief Whip, Musa Wakili Nakwada, also announced that he would not contest the 2027 elections.
Welcome to Jos Ghetto Stories — a new Jos Events series created to tell the stories that are often overlooked, but should never be forgotten.
From the narrow streets of Gangare, Nasarawa, Angwan Rogo, Jenta-Adamu, Congo-Russia, Tudun Wada, Katako, Dadin Kowa, Bukuru and other communities across Jos, there are children growing up surrounded by challenges many of us may never fully understand.
Some wake up without knowing where their next meal will come from.
Some go to school with torn shoes.
Some live in crowded homes, struggle to afford basic needs, or watch their parents battle every day just to keep the family going.
And some are already beginning to believe that because they were born into hardship, hardship is all life has to offer them.
But we are here to tell them something different.
YOU CAN STILL BECOME GREAT.
Your address does not determine your destiny.
The street you grew up on does not decide the height you can reach.
Poverty may be part of your story, but it does not have to be the final chapter.
Look at Jos.
This city has produced and nurtured people who have gone on to make their mark far beyond the streets where their journeys began.
John Obi Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa went from Jos to becoming aome of Nigeria’s most recognisable footballers, they all grew up from the Ghetto streets of Jos and made it in life through football to the point of representing Nigeria at the highest level.
Jeremiah Gyang, M.I Abaga and Ice Prince carried the sound and creativity of Jos into the Nigerian music industry and beyond.
P-Square and 2Baba are among the major names whose stories are connected to Jos.
Saint Obi,Dayo Okeniyi took their journey from Jos into international acting, while filmmakers Dimbo Atiya and Kenneth Gyang, have used film to tell stories that travel far beyond home.
And there are many more whose names may not yet be famous—but whose stories prove that greatness can rise from ordinary beginnings. 
So when we walk through the streets of Jos and meet these children, we are not looking at “ghetto children.”
We are looking at future doctors, engineers, footballers, musicians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, teachers, leaders, creatives and nation builders.
We are looking at potential.
We are looking at dreams waiting for an opportunity.
Because sometimes, all a child needs is somebody to look them in the eyes and say:
“I believe in you.”
That is what Jos Ghetto Stories is about.
We will tell the stories of the streets.
We will show the struggles.
We will celebrate the talent.
We will listen to the dreams.
And most importantly, we will remind every young person watching that you can become the best version of yourself, regardless of where you started.
Your parents may not have everything.
Your environment may not be perfect.
You may not have the opportunities others have.
But never allow your circumstances to convince you that you cannot become somebody.
The world may see a child from the slum.
We see a future star.
The world may see a difficult beginning.
We see a story waiting to become extraordinary.
This is Jos Ghetto Stories.
Stories from the streets.
Stories of struggle.
Stories of hope.
Stories of talent.
Stories of resilience.
Stories of people who refuse to let their circumstances define them.
Because from the streets of Jos, greatness can rise.
And perhaps, the next great story is the child standing beside you.