By Sunday Ameh
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission to maintain the status quo in the dispute over candidates that emerged from the Benue State APC primaries ahead of the 2027 general election.
Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the order on Thursday while hearing a suit filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC aspirants challenging the party’s handling of the Benue primaries.
The plaintiffs had sought an interim order restraining the APC from substituting candidates it said were validly nominated during the primaries and preventing INEC from recognising any fresh list pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The court had earlier declined to grant the ex parte application immediately, directing the APC and INEC to appear before it. At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel for both defendants were present and joined issues with the plaintiffs.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Ekwo held that all parties were legally bound to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The judge consequently restrained the APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates, stressing that maintaining the status quo was a legal obligation and not merely a matter of discretion.
The court also directed that INEC be served with all originating and consequential processes without delay.
The order effectively bars the electoral commission from receiving, recognising or acting on any substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC until the case is determined.
Justice Ekwo noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to the court’s jurisdiction and directed that the substantive suit be heard expeditiously.
The matter was adjourned until July 21, 2026, for hearing.
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